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Crystal palace
      Crystal Palace vs Sheffield United

      Palace 3 Sheff Utd 2

      Palace3
      Eze17' 27'
      Olise67'
      Sheff Utd2
      Brereton1'
      McAtee20'
      Tue 30 Jan 20:00(KO listed in users′ timezone)

      Premier LeagueSelhurst Park

      Full-Time
      Back to top
      Premier League
      pos
      club
      pl
      w
      d
      l
      gf
      ga
      gd
      pts
      1
      MCIManchester City
      38
      28
      7
      3
      96
      34
      +62
      91
      2
      ARSArsenal
      38
      28
      5
      5
      91
      29
      +62
      89
      3
      LIVLiverpool
      38
      24
      10
      4
      86
      41
      +45
      82
      4
      AVLAston Villa
      38
      20
      8
      10
      76
      61
      +15
      68
      5
      TOTTottenham Hotspur
      38
      20
      6
      12
      74
      61
      +13
      66
      6
      CHEChelsea
      38
      18
      9
      11
      77
      63
      +14
      63
      7
      NEWNewcastle United
      38
      18
      6
      14
      85
      62
      +23
      60
      8
      MUNManchester United
      38
      18
      6
      14
      57
      58
      -1
      60
      9
      WHUWest Ham United
      38
      14
      10
      14
      60
      74
      -14
      52
      10
      CRYCrystal Palace
      38
      13
      10
      15
      57
      58
      -1
      49
      11
      BHABrighton and Hove Albion
      38
      12
      12
      14
      55
      62
      -7
      48
      12
      BOUBournemouth
      38
      13
      9
      16
      54
      67
      -13
      48
      13
      FULFulham
      38
      13
      8
      17
      55
      61
      -6
      47
      14
      WOLWolverhampton Wanderers
      38
      13
      7
      18
      50
      65
      -15
      46
      15
      EVEEverton
      38
      13
      9
      16
      40
      51
      -11
      40
      16
      BREBrentford
      38
      10
      9
      19
      56
      65
      -9
      39
      17
      FORNottingham Forest
      38
      9
      9
      20
      49
      67
      -18
      32
      18
      LUTLuton Town
      38
      6
      8
      24
      52
      85
      -33
      26
      19
      BURBurnley
      38
      5
      9
      24
      41
      78
      -37
      24
      20
      SHUSheffield United
      38
      3
      7
      28
      35
      104
      -69
      16

      Match Summary

      Summary:

      • Two changes for Palace as Olise and Ayew return
      • Brereton Diaz curls visitors into the lead inside the first minute
      • Eze prods home cute Olise cross after quarter of an hour
      • McAtee immediately restores visitors’ lead with the aide of a generous deflection
      • Eze whips in a second superb equaliser from 25 yards
      • Souza clears off the line as relentless pace does not let up
      • McBurnie tests Henderson’s handling as half-time approaches
      • HT: Palace 2-2 Sheffield United
      • Sheffield United forced into early second-half substitutions
      • Mateta fires narrowly over from a tight angle
      • Olise gives Palace the lead for the first time with whipped effort from 25 yards
      • No. 7 appears to sustain injury whilst scoring
      • Eze denied hat-trick by Foderingham’s shoulder
      • Midfielder replaced shortly after in enforced change
      • Ahmedhodzic hits the bar for visitors with late flicked header
      • FT: Palace 3-2 Sheffield United

      The fixture had previously enjoyed the dubious honour of being the Premier League’s most frequently-contested in which both teams had never both scored – Palace having won five of its seven iterations with a clean sheet, and Sheffield United two.

      Yet an action-packed first-half saw the goals flow freely for both sides, Palace generally on top – and Michael Olise twice setting up Ebere Eze for two brilliant finishes – but Sheffield United equally clinical on the break, scoring through Ben Brereton Diaz and James McAtee.

      A tighter second-half ensued, but Palace pressed home their advantage when Olise’s fourth goal in his last three appearances secured an important victory.

      Going into the game, the Eagles had been bolstered by the return of wingers Olise from injury and Jordan Ayew from international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

      However, buoyed by securing a last-minute point against West Ham United last time out, it was the Blades who started with a razor-sharp edge, Ben Brereton Diaz finding space on the left and making it two goals in two appearances for his new side by curling in the most precise of low finishes into the far bottom corner.

      Just as they had done against Brentford a month prior, Palace rallied following the early concession, Ayew coming close to teeing up Michael Olise – whose effort was blocked inside the box – and then Jefferson Lerma with a header, charged down by visiting goalkeeper Ivo Grbić.

      It was a sign of things to come, and on 16 minutes, a familiar combination provided Palace’s equaliser. Once more at Selhurst Park, it was a brilliant in-swinging cross from Olise – on the right, and with minimal backlift – which created the opportunity, Eze jumping high to connect with his boot and guide the ball into the back of the net.

      Parity lasted mere moments. Oli McBurnie broke into space near the halfway line, holding off two challenges before slipping in James McAtee, whose effort took a generous deflection off the underside of Marc Guéhi’s boot and looped over Dean Henderson.

      The entertainment did not let up and, seven minutes later, Olise squared for Eze, who shaped to shoot on his right from 25 yards before checking back onto his left – and rocketing a searing effort into the top-left corner to leave Grbic grasping at thin air.

      No two players had combined more often for Palace goals since the beginning of last season than Olise and Eze – the former assisting the latter for all seven at that stage – and they nearly combined for a third time moments later.

      Palace continued to press as they looked the more threatening team overall, a deep free-kick from Ayew finding Olise unmarked at a tight angle – and the No. 7’s prod back across goal forced Vinícius Souza to clear from beneath his own crossbar, with Eze in close pursuit.

      It was only with half-an-hour on the clock that the pace of the game really settled, Palace continuing to enjoy the majority of possession against a deep-lying Sheffield United side – although McBurnie did test Henderson’s handling with a spinning half-volley not long before the whistle.

      In contrast to the free-flowing start of the first-half, the beginning of the second saw the visitors make a trio of early substitutions, with goalkeeper Grbic’s enforced after an accidental coming-together at pace with Mateta.

      It took until the hour mark for the first clear effort on goal of the half, with Jefferson Lerma this time the architect with a fine slide-rule pass for Olise. The winger’s effort across goal was well saved by substitute Wes Foderingham, before the Palace man was then ruled offside.

      It was the spark Palace needed to reignite the match, and within moments they had created another opportunity as Eze found space to play in Mateta with a slide-rule pass. The forward, holding off a challenge and on his left foot from a tight angle, blazed not far over the bar.

      That pressure finally told with a quarter of the game remaining as Mateta’s attempted cross deflected out invitingly for Olise 25 yards from goal, and with his in-step, the winger whipped a low finish into the bottom-left corner which clipped the post on its way in.

      Moments after putting Palace into the lead for the first time in the match, however, the winger sat down on the halfway line, and was subsequently replaced by Jeffrey Schlupp.

      Palace continued to look to press home the advantage, and Eze was only denied the club’s first Premier League hat-trick since November 2015 by Foderingham’s shoulder, after the England international had weaved in between three defenders and clipped a shot goalwards.

      Such has been the Eagles' luck with injuries this season that it was his last contribution of the night, the midfielder requiring treatment and an enforced change seeing David Ozoh enter the fray.

      With Sheffield United forced to pour more bodies forwards in the closing stages, there was a nervy moment for the Selhurst Park faithful when Yasser Larouci’s cross was flicked on by Anel Ahmedhodzic – thundering against the crossbar.

      Half-cleared, the ball broke for Andre Brooks, who spun and volleyed goalwards, but Henderson was well-placed to beat the ball away with both fists.

      But despite 11 additional minutes being played, that was as close as Sheffield United would come, Palace defending well to keep them at arm’s length – and seal an important victory upon their return to Selhurst Park.

      Palace: Henderson (GK), Richards, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Olise (Schlupp, 70), Eze (Ozoh, 78), Ayew, Mateta (Edouard, 90+1).

      Subs not used: Johnstone (GK), Tomkins, Clyne, Riedewald, Ahamada, França.

      Sheffield United: Grbic (GK) (Foderingham, 53 (GK)), Bogle, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson (Larouci, 82), Trusty, Souza, McAtee, Hamer (Archer, 87), Slimane (Norrington-Davies, 45), Brereton Diaz (Brooks, 45), McBurnie (Osula, 64).

      Subs not used: Osborn, Seriki, Norwood.

      Match Blog

      Full-Time

      Match ends, Crystal Palace 3, Sheffield United 2.
      90'+13'

      Yellow Card

      Lerma(8)
      Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card.
      90'+13'

      Yellow Card

      Ahmedhodzic(15)
      Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
      90'+12'

      free kick won

      Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+11'

      miss

      Attempt missed. William Osula (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Vinicius Souza with a headed pass following a corner.
      90'+11'

      corner

      Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Jefferson Lerma.
      90'+9'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Auston Trusty.
      90'+9'

      free kick won

      Andre Brooks (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+7'

      free kick won

      Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+5'

      Yellow Card

      Norrington-Davies(33)
      Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      90'+5'

      free kick won

      Odsonne Édouard (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      90'+2'

      free kick won

      Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+2'

      free kick won

      Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+1'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      off
      Odsonne Édouard
      Odsonne
      Édouard(22)
      on
      87'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Gustavo
      Hamer(8)
      off
      Cameron
      Archer(10)
      on
      85'

      free kick won

      Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      85'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Andre Brooks (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
      85'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. William Osula (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jayden Bogle with a cross.
      84'

      post

      Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) hits the bar with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Yasser Larouci.
      84'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Rhys Norrington-Davies.
      83'

      free kick won

      Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      82'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Jack
      Robinson(19)
      off
      Yasser
      Larouci(27)
      on
      81'

      free kick won

      Andre Brooks (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      77'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi Eze
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      off
      David Ozoh
      David
      Ozoh(52)
      on
      77'

      end delay

      Delay over. They are ready to continue.
      76'

      start delay

      Delay in match because of an injury Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace).
      76'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. William Osula (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
      73'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      72'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Wes Foderingham.
      72'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Marc Guéhi.
      69'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Michael Olise
      Michael
      Olise(7)
      off
      Jeffrey Schlupp
      Jeffrey
      Schlupp(15)
      on
      69'

      end delay

      Delay over. They are ready to continue.
      68'

      start delay

      Delay in match because of an injury Michael Olise (Crystal Palace).
      67'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Michael
      Olise(7)
      Michael Olise
      Goal! Crystal Palace 3, Sheffield United 2. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
      65'

      free kick won

      Vinicius Souza (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      64'

      free kick won

      Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      64'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Oliver
      McBurnie(9)
      off
      William Osula
      William
      Osula(32)
      on
      63'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Eberechi Eze with a through ball.
      61'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Michael Olise is caught offside.
      60'

      free kick won

      Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      58'

      free kick won

      James McAtee (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      57'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      55'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      53'

      end delay

      Delay over. They are ready to continue.
      52'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Ivo
      Grbic(13)
      off
      Wes
      Foderingham(18)
      on
      48'

      start delay

      Delay in match because of an injury Ivo Grbic (Sheffield United).
      48'

      free kick won

      Ivo Grbic (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      45'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Anis Ben Slimane
      Anis
      Ben Slimane(25)
      off
      Rhys
      Norrington-Davies(33)
      on
      45'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Ben
      Brereton(11)
      off
      Andre
      Brooks(35)
      on

      First-Half Ends

      First Half ends, Crystal Palace 2, Sheffield United 2.
      45'+4'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Ben Brereton.
      45'+2'

      free kick won

      Vinicius Souza (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      45'+2'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Auston Trusty.
      45'+1'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Jack Robinson.
      43'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Eberechi Eze following a corner.
      43'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Anel Ahmedhodzic.
      42'

      Yellow Card

      Robinson(19)
      Jack Robinson (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      42'

      free kick won

      Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      41'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a corner.
      41'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Jack Robinson.
      41'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
      40'

      Yellow Card

      Trusty(5)
      Auston Trusty (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      40'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      38'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by James McAtee.
      37'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Auston Trusty.
      34'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      30'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      27'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      Eberechi Eze
      Goal! Crystal Palace 2, Sheffield United 2. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Michael Olise.
      22'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
      20'

      Sheffield United Goal

      Sheffield United
      Goal!
      Sheffield United
      James
      McAtee(28)
      Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Sheffield United 2. James McAtee (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Oliver McBurnie following a fast break.
      18'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Chris Richards is caught offside.
      18'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jordan Ayew.
      18'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Anel Ahmedhodzic.
      17'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      Eberechi Eze
      Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Sheffield United 1. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by Michael Olise with a cross.
      13'

      free kick won

      Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      10'

      free kick won

      Ben Brereton (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      8'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Auston Trusty.
      8'

      offside

      Offside, Sheffield United. Ben Brereton is caught offside.
      5'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is too high following a corner.
      5'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Auston Trusty.
      5'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jordan Ayew.
      3'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      1'

      Sheffield United Goal

      Sheffield United
      Goal!
      Sheffield United
      Ben
      Brereton(11)
      Goal! Crystal Palace 0, Sheffield United 1. Ben Brereton (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Gustavo Hamer.

      Kick-Off

      lineup

      Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

      Starting lineup

      13
      Ivo Grbic
      GK
      substitution icon52'
      19
      Jack Robinson
      DF
      42'
      substitution icon82'
      15
      Anel Ahmedhodzic
      DF
      90'+13'
      5
      Auston Trusty
      DF
      40'
      20
      Jayden Bogle
      DF
      21
      Vinicius Souza
      MF
      8
      Gustavo Hamer
      MF
      substitution icon87'
      28
      James McAtee
      MF
      20'
      11
      Ben Brereton
      MF
      1'
      substitution icon45'
      25
      Anis Ben Slimane
      MF
      substitution icon45'
      9
      Oliver McBurnie
      S
      substitution icon64'

      Substitutes

      10
      Cameron Archer
      substitution icon87'
      16
      Oliver Norwood
      18
      Wes Foderingham
      substitution icon52'
      23
      Ben Osborn
      27
      Yasser Larouci
      substitution icon82'
      32
      William Osula
      substitution icon64'
      33
      Rhys Norrington-Davies
      substitution icon45'
      90'+5'
      35
      Andre Brooks
      substitution icon45'
      38
      Femi Seriki
      FOR
      1-2
      ARS
      LUT
      4-0
      BHA
      FUL
      0-0
      EVE
      AVL
      1-3
      NEW
      Back to top

      Starting lineup

      13
      Ivo Grbic
      GK
      substitution icon52'
      19
      Jack Robinson
      DF
      42'
      substitution icon82'
      15
      Anel Ahmedhodzic
      DF
      90'+13'
      5
      Auston Trusty
      DF
      40'
      20
      Jayden Bogle
      DF
      21
      Vinicius Souza
      MF
      8
      Gustavo Hamer
      MF
      substitution icon87'
      28
      James McAtee
      MF
      20'
      11
      Ben Brereton
      MF
      1'
      substitution icon45'
      25
      Anis Ben Slimane
      MF
      substitution icon45'
      9
      Oliver McBurnie
      S
      substitution icon64'

      Substitutes

      10
      Cameron Archer
      substitution icon87'
      16
      Oliver Norwood
      18
      Wes Foderingham
      substitution icon52'
      23
      Ben Osborn
      27
      Yasser Larouci
      substitution icon82'
      32
      William Osula
      substitution icon64'
      33
      Rhys Norrington-Davies
      substitution icon45'
      90'+5'
      35
      Andre Brooks
      substitution icon45'
      38
      Femi Seriki
      FOR
      1-2
      ARS
      LUT
      4-0
      BHA
      FUL
      0-0
      EVE
      AVL
      1-3
      NEW
      Premier League
      pos
      club
      pl
      w
      d
      l
      gf
      ga
      gd
      pts
      1
      MCIManchester City
      38
      28
      7
      3
      96
      34
      +62
      91
      2
      ARSArsenal
      38
      28
      5
      5
      91
      29
      +62
      89
      3
      LIVLiverpool
      38
      24
      10
      4
      86
      41
      +45
      82
      4
      AVLAston Villa
      38
      20
      8
      10
      76
      61
      +15
      68
      5
      TOTTottenham Hotspur
      38
      20
      6
      12
      74
      61
      +13
      66
      6
      CHEChelsea
      38
      18
      9
      11
      77
      63
      +14
      63
      7
      NEWNewcastle United
      38
      18
      6
      14
      85
      62
      +23
      60
      8
      MUNManchester United
      38
      18
      6
      14
      57
      58
      -1
      60
      9
      WHUWest Ham United
      38
      14
      10
      14
      60
      74
      -14
      52
      10
      CRYCrystal Palace
      38
      13
      10
      15
      57
      58
      -1
      49
      11
      BHABrighton and Hove Albion
      38
      12
      12
      14
      55
      62
      -7
      48
      12
      BOUBournemouth
      38
      13
      9
      16
      54
      67
      -13
      48
      13
      FULFulham
      38
      13
      8
      17
      55
      61
      -6
      47
      14
      WOLWolverhampton Wanderers
      38
      13
      7
      18
      50
      65
      -15
      46
      15
      EVEEverton
      38
      13
      9
      16
      40
      51
      -11
      40
      16
      BREBrentford
      38
      10
      9
      19
      56
      65
      -9
      39
      17
      FORNottingham Forest
      38
      9
      9
      20
      49
      67
      -18
      32
      18
      LUTLuton Town
      38
      6
      8
      24
      52
      85
      -33
      26
      19
      BURBurnley
      38
      5
      9
      24
      41
      78
      -37
      24
      20
      SHUSheffield United
      38
      3
      7
      28
      35
      104
      -69
      16

      Match Summary

      Summary:

      • Two changes for Palace as Olise and Ayew return
      • Brereton Diaz curls visitors into the lead inside the first minute
      • Eze prods home cute Olise cross after quarter of an hour
      • McAtee immediately restores visitors’ lead with the aide of a generous deflection
      • Eze whips in a second superb equaliser from 25 yards
      • Souza clears off the line as relentless pace does not let up
      • McBurnie tests Henderson’s handling as half-time approaches
      • HT: Palace 2-2 Sheffield United
      • Sheffield United forced into early second-half substitutions
      • Mateta fires narrowly over from a tight angle
      • Olise gives Palace the lead for the first time with whipped effort from 25 yards
      • No. 7 appears to sustain injury whilst scoring
      • Eze denied hat-trick by Foderingham’s shoulder
      • Midfielder replaced shortly after in enforced change
      • Ahmedhodzic hits the bar for visitors with late flicked header
      • FT: Palace 3-2 Sheffield United

      The fixture had previously enjoyed the dubious honour of being the Premier League’s most frequently-contested in which both teams had never both scored – Palace having won five of its seven iterations with a clean sheet, and Sheffield United two.

      Yet an action-packed first-half saw the goals flow freely for both sides, Palace generally on top – and Michael Olise twice setting up Ebere Eze for two brilliant finishes – but Sheffield United equally clinical on the break, scoring through Ben Brereton Diaz and James McAtee.

      A tighter second-half ensued, but Palace pressed home their advantage when Olise’s fourth goal in his last three appearances secured an important victory.

      Going into the game, the Eagles had been bolstered by the return of wingers Olise from injury and Jordan Ayew from international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

      However, buoyed by securing a last-minute point against West Ham United last time out, it was the Blades who started with a razor-sharp edge, Ben Brereton Diaz finding space on the left and making it two goals in two appearances for his new side by curling in the most precise of low finishes into the far bottom corner.

      Just as they had done against Brentford a month prior, Palace rallied following the early concession, Ayew coming close to teeing up Michael Olise – whose effort was blocked inside the box – and then Jefferson Lerma with a header, charged down by visiting goalkeeper Ivo Grbić.

      It was a sign of things to come, and on 16 minutes, a familiar combination provided Palace’s equaliser. Once more at Selhurst Park, it was a brilliant in-swinging cross from Olise – on the right, and with minimal backlift – which created the opportunity, Eze jumping high to connect with his boot and guide the ball into the back of the net.

      Parity lasted mere moments. Oli McBurnie broke into space near the halfway line, holding off two challenges before slipping in James McAtee, whose effort took a generous deflection off the underside of Marc Guéhi’s boot and looped over Dean Henderson.

      The entertainment did not let up and, seven minutes later, Olise squared for Eze, who shaped to shoot on his right from 25 yards before checking back onto his left – and rocketing a searing effort into the top-left corner to leave Grbic grasping at thin air.

      No two players had combined more often for Palace goals since the beginning of last season than Olise and Eze – the former assisting the latter for all seven at that stage – and they nearly combined for a third time moments later.

      Palace continued to press as they looked the more threatening team overall, a deep free-kick from Ayew finding Olise unmarked at a tight angle – and the No. 7’s prod back across goal forced Vinícius Souza to clear from beneath his own crossbar, with Eze in close pursuit.

      It was only with half-an-hour on the clock that the pace of the game really settled, Palace continuing to enjoy the majority of possession against a deep-lying Sheffield United side – although McBurnie did test Henderson’s handling with a spinning half-volley not long before the whistle.

      In contrast to the free-flowing start of the first-half, the beginning of the second saw the visitors make a trio of early substitutions, with goalkeeper Grbic’s enforced after an accidental coming-together at pace with Mateta.

      It took until the hour mark for the first clear effort on goal of the half, with Jefferson Lerma this time the architect with a fine slide-rule pass for Olise. The winger’s effort across goal was well saved by substitute Wes Foderingham, before the Palace man was then ruled offside.

      It was the spark Palace needed to reignite the match, and within moments they had created another opportunity as Eze found space to play in Mateta with a slide-rule pass. The forward, holding off a challenge and on his left foot from a tight angle, blazed not far over the bar.

      That pressure finally told with a quarter of the game remaining as Mateta’s attempted cross deflected out invitingly for Olise 25 yards from goal, and with his in-step, the winger whipped a low finish into the bottom-left corner which clipped the post on its way in.

      Moments after putting Palace into the lead for the first time in the match, however, the winger sat down on the halfway line, and was subsequently replaced by Jeffrey Schlupp.

      Palace continued to look to press home the advantage, and Eze was only denied the club’s first Premier League hat-trick since November 2015 by Foderingham’s shoulder, after the England international had weaved in between three defenders and clipped a shot goalwards.

      Such has been the Eagles' luck with injuries this season that it was his last contribution of the night, the midfielder requiring treatment and an enforced change seeing David Ozoh enter the fray.

      With Sheffield United forced to pour more bodies forwards in the closing stages, there was a nervy moment for the Selhurst Park faithful when Yasser Larouci’s cross was flicked on by Anel Ahmedhodzic – thundering against the crossbar.

      Half-cleared, the ball broke for Andre Brooks, who spun and volleyed goalwards, but Henderson was well-placed to beat the ball away with both fists.

      But despite 11 additional minutes being played, that was as close as Sheffield United would come, Palace defending well to keep them at arm’s length – and seal an important victory upon their return to Selhurst Park.

      Palace: Henderson (GK), Richards, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Olise (Schlupp, 70), Eze (Ozoh, 78), Ayew, Mateta (Edouard, 90+1).

      Subs not used: Johnstone (GK), Tomkins, Clyne, Riedewald, Ahamada, França.

      Sheffield United: Grbic (GK) (Foderingham, 53 (GK)), Bogle, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson (Larouci, 82), Trusty, Souza, McAtee, Hamer (Archer, 87), Slimane (Norrington-Davies, 45), Brereton Diaz (Brooks, 45), McBurnie (Osula, 64).

      Subs not used: Osborn, Seriki, Norwood.

      Match Blog

      Full-Time

      Match ends, Crystal Palace 3, Sheffield United 2.
      90'+13'

      Yellow Card

      Lerma(8)
      Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card.
      90'+13'

      Yellow Card

      Ahmedhodzic(15)
      Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
      90'+12'

      free kick won

      Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+11'

      miss

      Attempt missed. William Osula (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Vinicius Souza with a headed pass following a corner.
      90'+11'

      corner

      Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Jefferson Lerma.
      90'+9'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Auston Trusty.
      90'+9'

      free kick won

      Andre Brooks (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+7'

      free kick won

      Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+5'

      Yellow Card

      Norrington-Davies(33)
      Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      90'+5'

      free kick won

      Odsonne Édouard (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      90'+2'

      free kick won

      Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+2'

      free kick won

      Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+1'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      off
      Odsonne Édouard
      Odsonne
      Édouard(22)
      on
      87'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Gustavo
      Hamer(8)
      off
      Cameron
      Archer(10)
      on
      85'

      free kick won

      Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      85'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Andre Brooks (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
      85'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. William Osula (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jayden Bogle with a cross.
      84'

      post

      Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) hits the bar with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Yasser Larouci.
      84'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Rhys Norrington-Davies.
      83'

      free kick won

      Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      82'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Jack
      Robinson(19)
      off
      Yasser
      Larouci(27)
      on
      81'

      free kick won

      Andre Brooks (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      77'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi Eze
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      off
      David Ozoh
      David
      Ozoh(52)
      on
      77'

      end delay

      Delay over. They are ready to continue.
      76'

      start delay

      Delay in match because of an injury Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace).
      76'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. William Osula (Sheffield United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
      73'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      72'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Wes Foderingham.
      72'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Marc Guéhi.
      69'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Michael Olise
      Michael
      Olise(7)
      off
      Jeffrey Schlupp
      Jeffrey
      Schlupp(15)
      on
      69'

      end delay

      Delay over. They are ready to continue.
      68'

      start delay

      Delay in match because of an injury Michael Olise (Crystal Palace).
      67'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Michael
      Olise(7)
      Michael Olise
      Goal! Crystal Palace 3, Sheffield United 2. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
      65'

      free kick won

      Vinicius Souza (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      64'

      free kick won

      Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      64'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Oliver
      McBurnie(9)
      off
      William Osula
      William
      Osula(32)
      on
      63'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Eberechi Eze with a through ball.
      61'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Michael Olise is caught offside.
      60'

      free kick won

      Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      58'

      free kick won

      James McAtee (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      57'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      55'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      53'

      end delay

      Delay over. They are ready to continue.
      52'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Ivo
      Grbic(13)
      off
      Wes
      Foderingham(18)
      on
      48'

      start delay

      Delay in match because of an injury Ivo Grbic (Sheffield United).
      48'

      free kick won

      Ivo Grbic (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      45'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Anis Ben Slimane
      Anis
      Ben Slimane(25)
      off
      Rhys
      Norrington-Davies(33)
      on
      45'

      Substitution

      Sheffield United
      Ben
      Brereton(11)
      off
      Andre
      Brooks(35)
      on

      First-Half Ends

      First Half ends, Crystal Palace 2, Sheffield United 2.
      45'+4'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Ben Brereton.
      45'+2'

      free kick won

      Vinicius Souza (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      45'+2'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Auston Trusty.
      45'+1'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Jack Robinson.
      43'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Eberechi Eze following a corner.
      43'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Anel Ahmedhodzic.
      42'

      Yellow Card

      Robinson(19)
      Jack Robinson (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      42'

      free kick won

      Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      41'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a corner.
      41'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Jack Robinson.
      41'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
      40'

      Yellow Card

      Trusty(5)
      Auston Trusty (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      40'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      38'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by James McAtee.
      37'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Auston Trusty.
      34'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      30'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      27'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      Eberechi Eze
      Goal! Crystal Palace 2, Sheffield United 2. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Michael Olise.
      22'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
      20'

      Sheffield United Goal

      Sheffield United
      Goal!
      Sheffield United
      James
      McAtee(28)
      Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Sheffield United 2. James McAtee (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Oliver McBurnie following a fast break.
      18'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Chris Richards is caught offside.
      18'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jordan Ayew.
      18'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Anel Ahmedhodzic.
      17'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      Eberechi Eze
      Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Sheffield United 1. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by Michael Olise with a cross.
      13'

      free kick won

      Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      10'

      free kick won

      Ben Brereton (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      8'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Auston Trusty.
      8'

      offside

      Offside, Sheffield United. Ben Brereton is caught offside.
      5'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is too high following a corner.
      5'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Auston Trusty.
      5'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jordan Ayew.
      3'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      1'

      Sheffield United Goal

      Sheffield United
      Goal!
      Sheffield United
      Ben
      Brereton(11)
      Goal! Crystal Palace 0, Sheffield United 1. Ben Brereton (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Gustavo Hamer.

      Kick-Off

      lineup

      Lineups are announced and players are warming up.