Super Eagles target’s performance is not enough as the Eagles lose flawless record

The Eagles were hoping to protect their perfect New Year’s day record, but the Hammers were too much for them in their Premier League clash on Saturday evening 

Nigeria-eligible midfielder Michael Olise scored a goal and assisted another, but his brilliant display was not enough to help Crystal Palace salvage a point at Selhurst Park.

Olise started from the bench as Crystal Palace welcomed West Ham in the first London derby of the year.

Despite losing two of their last five games, Crystal Palace had a record to protect- they had never lost a home league match on New Year’s Day in their history.

The game was pretty balanced until the 25th minute when Michail Antonio put West Ham in front after a brilliant strike that left Palace keeper Guaita helpless in goal.

Before the Eagles could recover from the concession, West Ham struck again in the 28th minute as Manuel Lanzini gave the Hammers a 2-0 cushion.

Palace’s problems were compounded in the stoppage time of the first half, as captain Luka Milivojevic handled the ball in the box to gift West Ham a penalty which Lanzini well tucked in.

After the poor first half, Crystal Palace regained their composure in the second and contained Moyes’ men better than they did in the first half, albeit the Hammers had already done the damage.

In usual fashion, Olise was introduced into the game as a substitute in the 68th minute to salvage something for Crystal Palace.

Within 15 minutes of his introduction, the Nigeria-eligible midfielder changed the game, as he provided the assist for Odsonne Edouard’s 83rd-minute goal to make it 3-1.

With seven minutes to go, the Eagles stepped up the ante, and Olise was in the mix of everything again. In the final minute of regular time, the 20-year-old drilled a well-placed free-kick behind Lukasz Fabianski to make it 3-2.

However, Olise’s show of brilliance was not enough, as West Ham held on to their lead to ensure it ended 3-2.

In his 22 minutes on the pitch, Olise had 20 touches, ten less than Christian Benteke, who he replaced. He also had a 100 per cent pass accuracy.

Olise was born in England, but he has played for the French youth team because his mother is French-Algerian.

However, he also qualifies to represent Nigeria through his father.