Crystal Palace 3-2 Wolves: Odsonne Edouard strikes twice in goal-packed second half as Eagles claim victory

Odsonne Edouard netted a second-half brace as Crystal Palace secured a 3-2 victory over Wolves at Selhurst Park.

The visitors edged what was a dour first period, but it was the Eagles who broke the deadlock on 56 minutes when Edouard powered home Tyrick Mitchell’s cross.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil responded by throwing on Hwang Hee-chan on the hour and within five minutes the forward had dragged his side level by flicking into the far corner from a free-kick.

However, the hosts regained the advantage 12 minutes from time when Eberechi Eze stabbed past Jose Sa.

Edouard then made sure of the three points on 84 minutes following a delightful one-two with substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta, although Matheus Cunha netted a consolation at the death for the visitors.

The result sees Palace surge into seventh place with two wins from four matches and within three points of the top four. Wolves are down in 15th with three defeats from their four outings.

Following the international break, Wolves entertain Liverpool while Palace visit Aston Villa.

Ahead of the match Roy Hodgson had spoken about recognising the season is a marathon and that winning any sort of sprint is more crucial towards the end of the campaign. That said, he will be more than satisfied with Palace’s start to the new term heading into the international break, particularly as they got a first home win under their belt here.

The Eagles may have lost Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray, but did manage to fend off strong interest in Eze, Michael Olise and Cheick Doucoure which is clearly vital to their ambitions this term.

Indeed, on this evidence Palace look like they have more than enough to be looking up the table, but it’s a different story for Wolves.

The visitors have lost some key personnel during the window – including the manager that kept them up last season – and seem to lack top quality at both ends of the pitch. O’Neil is doing his best to organise the squad he has at his disposal, but it’s going to be another battle for the Midlands outfit this season.

Odsonne Edouard. (Crystal Palace). The forward was lively throughout but really moved up a gear in the second period, taking both of his goals with aplomb.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Johnstone 6, Ward 7, Andersen 8, Guehi 7, Mitchell 8, Lerma 7, Doucoure 7, Eze 8, Ayew 7, Edouard 9, Schlupp 7. Subs: Mateta 8, Hughes n/a.

WOLVES: Sa 6, Semedo 7, Dawson 7, Kilman 7, Ait-Nouri 6, Lemina 6, Gomes 6, Sarabia 6, Cunha 7, Neto 7, Silva 6. Subs: Hwang 7, Traore 6, Bueno n/a, Kalajdzic n/a.

16’ – PALACE CHANCE! Ayew's low shot is brilliantly cleared off the line by Kilman with Sa out of commission after Lerma had pounced on some slack play from Wolves at the back to tee up what seemed like a sitter.

56’ – GOAL! – Crystal Palace 1-0 Wolves. Edouard flies in to blast home at the near post after a delicious cross from the left by Mitchell.

65’ – GOAL! – Crystal Palace 1-1 Wolves. Hwang makes his mark from the bench as he flicks a left-wing free kick into the far corner.

78’ – GOAL! – Crystal Palace 2-1 Wolves. Eze stabs Mateta's knock down beyond Sa after Wolves were caught out by a long ball down the right.

84’ – GOAL! – Crystal Palace 3-1 Wolves. Edouard snares his second of the afternoon with a low finish after a slick one-two with Mateta.

90+6’ – GOAL! – Crystal Palace 3-2 Wolves. Cunha heads in a cross from the left but it should be too late to salvage anything from the match.

Key Stats

Edouard scored Premier League goals at Selhurst Park for the first time since October 2022 (against Southampton).

With his 18th shot of the season, Eberechi Eze finally notched his first Premier League goal of the campaign.

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