Crystal Palace end winless run as inspired Michael Olise sinks Brentford

Crystal Palace relieved the pressure on Roy Hodgson after ending their eight-match winless run with Michael Olise inspiring a victory which heightened Brentford’s own troubles. A record-equalling fifth successive Premier League defeat leaves Thomas Frank yearning for Ivan Toney’s imminent return in the new year with his ailing club floundering.

Hodgson’s hopes of signing off the year with a victory initially looked unlikely after a disastrous start saw Keane Lewis-Potter score the opener for Brentford within the first two minutes. But Palace rallied and first-half goals from Olise and Eberechi Eze turned the match around.

The outstanding Olise struck again in the second half for his third goal in four days. Palace’s second home league win of the season gives them some comfort in mid-table but for Brentford - only four points clear of safety - the relegation threat is lurking menacingly.

Palace selected the same team that was beaten midweek at Chelsea, with Odsonne Édouard fit to return to the bench after missing the last three matches with a knee injury. Brentford made two changes from the team thrashed at home against Wolves, with Zanka and Mathias Jensen recalled in place of Yehor Yarmoliuk and Neal Maupay.

Less than 90 seconds into the contest, Brentford struck the opening blow at Selhurst Park. Jensen’s audacious backheel teed up Mads Roerslev to send in a low cross and Lewis-Potter slid the ball into the net from close range. A lengthy VAR delay for a potential offside ultimately failed to reprieve Palace.

Brentford failed to hold onto the lead for a significant amount of time though as Palace equalised swiftly. Jordan Ayew delivered a cross to the far post and Olise volleyed the ball past goalkeeper Mark Flekken from close range.

Buoyed by their goal, Palace continued to push forward as Jefferson Lerma’s fierce strike from the edge of the penalty area was straight at Flekken. Olise was Palace’s greatest threat, with the winger’s pace and energy continually troubling the Brentford defence.

Nathan Collins, responsible for gifting Wolves two of their goals in Brentford’s last match, was hoping to make a positive contribution but the defender’s header tumbled wide of Dean Henderson’s post.

Palace made the worst possible start to the contest but their recovery continued by taking the lead before half-time. Neat interplay between Chris Richards and Tyrick Mitchell set up Eze and he drilled a low strike into the corner of the net.

Brentford almost conceded a comical thirdwhen Ethan Pinnock blasted a backpass that left Flekken diving desperately to divert the ball behind for a corner.

Frank’s side needed a fast start to the second half but a Christian Nørgaard shot was fired straight at Henderson. Olise’s directness remained a problem Brentford could not handle and he stung Flekken’s fingers with a fierce drive.

Less than a minute later, Olise charged towards goal and wriggled his way into the penalty area before firing a low shot into the net to extend Palace’s lead.

Olise was rampant and another attack from the right left Brentford toiling, but his strike lacked accuracy and flew wide of the target. The confident winger knew he had the beating of his opponents, playing with a swagger as he tormented Brentford at will.

Palace, with the handbrake now firmly off, were close to adding a fourth through Eze but his powerful strike was parried by Flekken.

Brentford’s attacks were scarce but the substitute Maupay rattled the crossbar from distance. Yoane Wissa also fired over from close range before Henderson saved from a cross deflected off Maupay but Brentford’s rally was too late to avoid another worrying defeat.