Match report and highlights as Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard scores winner against newly-promoted Sheffield United at Bramall Lane
Saturday 12 August 2023 20:13, UK
Crystal Palace kickstarted their campaign with a dominant 1-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Roy Hodgson's side finally found the breakthrough early in the second half after Jordan Ayew beat his marker Ben Osborn and fired a low cross for Odsonne Edouard to guide his shot past Wes Foderingham.
The Eagles had a goal disallowed either side of the break and could have easily won by a greater margin.
Sheffield United proved dogged defensively, while the impressive William Osula conjured their best chance of the game, but, ultimately, lacked cutting edge with only one shot on target - fired from distance.
Palace kickstarted their campaign with a worthy win and Hodgson would have gleaned plenty of positives from the performance, but will be left sweating on a late injury to centre-back Marc Guehi.
The pre-match talk centred around Wilfried Zaha's departure, but the Eagles' frontline certainly compensated, with Ayew's tenacity creating the decisive breakthrough - bursting past Osborn and applying enough power and accuracy on his low cross to tee up Edouard's winner.
There were flashes of customary, nonchalant skills and vision from Eberechi Eze, who frequently drifted to the left channel and increasingly found space as the game wore on.
New Palace signing Jefferson Lerma helped fortify the midfield alongside an equally impressive Cheick Doucoure, while centre-back Joachim Andersen stood out both defensively and offensively - blocking a goal-bound strike from Osborn and almost scoring in the closing stages of the game with a header.
Sam Johnstone started in goal after Vicente Guaita was controversially dropped after allegedly refusing to play during pre-season, but the England stopper had a relatively quiet afternoon between the sticks.
Ayew had a goal ruled out for offside midway through the first half after Foderingham parried Andersen's thunderbolt strike into his path.
The linesman intervened with another offside call midway through the second half when Edouard appeared to have doubled the Eagles' lead after left-back Tyrick Mitchell fired a cross along the retreating defensive line for the Frenchman to tap home.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United showed glimpses of promise - primarily from the pace in transitions from Osula and new signing Benie Traore - but lacked midfield mettle and cutting edge.
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom: "We needed the first goal as well if I am honest. We have obviously compromised the way we want to play with the differences in the team but I felt by being aggressive and disruptive we still had an impact on the game, so conceding the first goal so early in the second half made the game difficult.
"They have the experience and managed the game well. They have top talent at the top end of the pitch, which means they are a threat on the counter."
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson: "The shape of the team was good throughout. We knew it would be tough. Sheffield United have a style of play which isn't easy to deal with. Their energy, workmate and diligence around the field means you can never relax for one minute. We dealt with that well.
"When we were able to get onto the ball, I thought we started to look like a quality side. The 1-0 scoreline could have easily been more. On another day, I think we would have got that other goal - which could have made the last five minutes a little bit less interesting for Sheffield United.
"We do need [Edouard] scoring, especially because we've lost those important strikers from last season: Olise and Zaha. They played a big part. Unfortunately, we haven't got them. One's gone and other is unfit.
"So, we are going to have to work hard in that area to make sure we get the goals from elsewhere. But, if we can continue to control games as we did for such long periods [on Saturday], and play like we did through the midfield, I'm confident the chances will come."
Sheffield United face Nottingham Forest on Friday August 18, kick-off 7.45pm.
Meanwhile, Palace are back in action on Monday Night Football next, where they host Arsenal, kick-off 8pm.
