Crystal Palace equaled their best-ever Premier League points tally with a commanding 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, tightening their grip on a mid-table finish.
Central to the victory was Eberechi Eze, the English-born midfielder of Nigerian descent, whose brace proved decisive against a Spurs side seemingly weary from their recent UEFA Europa League (UEL) exploits.
Despite reaching the UEL final in midweek, Tottenham struggled to find their rhythm at Selhurst Park.
Palace thought they had taken an early lead when Eze picked out Daniel Muñoz on a surging run down the right, allowing the full-back to square for Ismaïla Sarr to tap in from close range. However, the goal was ruled out for offside, with Jean-Philippe Mateta caught beyond the last defender in the build-up.
Undeterred, Palace continued to press, with Mateta himself nearly breaking the deadlock midway through the first half, only to be denied by a sharp double save from Antonin Kinsý.
Moments later, Eze came close with a deflected strike that flashed narrowly wide of the post, underlining his growing influence.
The breakthrough finally arrived on the stroke of halftime, as Muñoz again surged down the right before squaring for Eze, who coolly slotted home from 10 yards to give Palace a deserved lead.
After the interval, the hosts remained in control, and Eze added his second with a clinical finish from the penalty spot, having played a clever one-two with Sarr to carve open the Spurs defence.
Despite Tottenham’s faint hopes of a comeback, they rarely threatened, managing just one shot on target in a disappointing display. Palace, by contrast, looked the more likely to extend their lead, with Sarr narrowly missing out on a third after curling just wide late on.
