Olise scores brace as Palace stun woeful Brentford
The visitors got off to the perfect start inside two minutes, as Keane Lewis-Potter scored just his second-ever PL goal, sliding in Mads Roerslev’s teasing cross.
However, such is the fragility of their defence after conceding four to Wolves last time out, Palace were level a few minutes later. Michael Olise added to his strike against Chelsea with his third goal in four games, volleying home at the back post from Jordan Ayew’s wicked delivery.
Brentford wasted a good chance to restore their lead, as the same combination of Roerslev and Lewis-Potter saw the latter’s tame effort comfortably saved by Dean Henderson.
The poor finish did not go unpunished, as the hosts turned the match around when Eberechi Eze rifled into the bottom corner from Jean-Philippe Mateta’s lay-off.
The Bees’ nerves inevitably kicked in, and Mark Flekken had to scramble Ethan Pinnock’s overhit back-pass away from goal to make sure the scoreline did not worsen before half-time.
Jefferson Lerma had an early opportunity to put the game to bed in the second half, but fired just wide from a corner routine, before Olise produced a moment of magic to net his brace.
The winger dribbled past a number of Brentford’s defenders before coolly slotting into the bottom corner to seal a crucial win. He was running the show, and slid in Eze for what could have been a fourth for Palace, but his shot was well-saved by Flekken.
Brentford’s best opportunity to get back into the match fell to Neal Maupay, who saw his lethal long-range strike cannon back off the crossbar, but ultimately they slumped to their fifth consecutive PL defeat, and are concerningly looking over their shoulders as they sit just four points above the drop zone in 15th.
As for Palace, they will be relieved to pick up three points and leapfrog their London rivals in the table, as their victory ended a run of five consecutive draws in this fixture.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)
