Eberechi Eze scored and assisted on his Loftus Road return with Crystal Palace as the Eagles beat QPR 2-1 in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Eze, who joined Palace from their Sky Bet Championship hosts for a reported £17million in 2020, was presented with a shirt before kick-off as he went on to sting his boyhood club in what proved an impressive individual display in west London.
The attacking midfielder set up Eddie Nketiah for his first Palace goal before his fortunate second-half effort cancelled out Sam Field’s equaliser.
QPR enjoyed an opening spell of possession against their Premier League opponents but a mistake from Harrison Ashby almost saw them concede an early goal. The right-back initially showed great skill to nutmeg his opposite number in a tight space, but he held onto the ball too long and a turnover saw Tyrick Mitchell’s ball across the box blazed over the bar by Eze.
Palace’s patience in defence soon paid dividends as they forced the mistake which gave them a 16th-minute lead.
Palace pressed high, winning the ball in a promising area and winning a free-kick which Eze took quickly, catching QPR napping as he unleashed Nketiah down the right. The reported £30m signing from Arsenal produced a powerful finish from a tight angle which found a way through keeper Joe Walsh’s legs.
Nketiah was Palace’s brightest spark with freedom to roam on either side and he was at the heart of another move which nearly made it 2-0.
The forward combined with Eze once more, this time on the left, and a drilled attempt from a similar angle as before was tipped by Walsh into the path of the surging Daniel Munoz, who was denied his first Palace goal after his attempt from six yards trickled into the keeper’s hands.
After the break, Rangers came out inspired and quickly drew level. Ashby’s cross was met the head of Paul Smyth, with Dean Henderson making an acrobatic stop, but Palace and Henderson failed to deal with the subsequent corner.
The keeper punched the ball high into the air and Rangers won a couple of headers before Field smashed the ball home from close range.
But a magnificent solo run from Eze, who spent four years at Loftus Road between 2016 and 2020, resulted in Palace retaking their earlier lead.
The England international’s flick in midfield saw him breeze past his marker, allowing him to drive towards the box. His strike, which would have been routine for Walsh to deal with, took a hefty deflection off captain Steve Cook and found the net.
The 26-year-old refused to celebrate in front of the Rangers faithful as QPR failed to convert their late chances in a tie which ended in favour of Oliver Glasner’s men.
Hull boss Tim Walter hailed the character of his side after seeing them come from a goal down to earn their first win of the season at Stoke.Ben Wilmot opened the scoring in the first half before goals from Kasey Palmer, Regan Slater and a Wilmot own goal sealed a 3-1 victory for the visitors.Walter said: “They showed real bravery and that’s why I’m really proud of them, that the...
Stuart Kettlewell hailed the composure of Lennon Miller after the 18-year-old kept his cool to send Motherwell into the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup.The Steelmen were pegged back after former fan favourite Louis Moult came off the bench to net an 83rd-minute equaliser for Dundee United.However, they were awarded the perfect chance to claim victory when referee John Beaton pointed to the s...
Sonia Bompastor said Chelsea will need to find different ways of playing against high-pressing opponents if they are to win a sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title.The former Lyon boss marked her first game in charge of the Blues with an uncomfortable 1-0 win over Aston Villa.Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s brilliant solo goal late in the first half at Kingsmeadow was the difference b...
Hull came from behind to earn their first victory of the season with a 3-1 win over Stoke at the Bet365 Stadium.Ben Wilmot put the Potters in front in Narcis Pelach’s first game in charge before three goals in 17 minutes gave Tim Walter his first win as Hull boss.Kasey Palmer nodded in the equaliser on his first Tigers start, following up after his penalty had been saved by Viktor Johansson,...
Lennon Miller held his nerve to net an injury-time penalty and earn Motherwell a place in the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup with a 2-1 victory over Dundee United.It looked as if a sensational leveller from former Well striker Louis Moult was set to send the game to extra time, before the hosts were awarded a spot-kick in added time.Miller was tasked with netting from the spot and he made no...
Sonia Bompastor’s first game in charge of Chelsea ended in a nervy 1-0 win against Aston Villa on the opening night of the Women’s Super League season at Kingsmeadow.Tasked with the unenviable job of succeeding Emma Hayes, under whom the Blues five consecutive WSL titles, the former Lyon manager saw her new side edge to an unconvincing victory courtesy of Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Martinelli now This is how Messi left Europe.. Throwback at EURO 2021, when Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal against Germany that broke the internet.36 years old Cristiano ran 92 meters in 14 seconds with a top speed of 32 km/h to score against ''die Mannschaft''.A true beast. WHAT?! Just When Manuel Neuer Retired from The NT, Ter Stegen is Dropping STINKERs game...
Liverpool monitoring Bournemouth defender KerkezLiverpool are reportedly keeping a close eye on AFC Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez, according to TeamTalk. The Hungarian international, who is considered a long-term target for the left-back position, has caught the attention of several top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United.The 20-year-old defender joined Bournemouth just 12 m...
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca fears that football is on the brink of players taking Rodri's advice and going on strike. He voiced his concerns about the risk to today's players due to the excessive number of matches they are asked to play.Maresca suggested that it's not the authorities but the players themselves who will have to take action. He said: "Players are playing too many games. Yes. No dou...
Signing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer remains an opportunity 'too good to miss' for Real Madrid, according to La Liga insider Matteo Moretto.The England international has been heavily linked with Los Blancos in recent months. With his contract expiring at the end of this season, that talk has not died down.According to Moretto, things are yet to progress any further, but it's clear tha...
- 1 Philippe Clement says John Bennett reluctantly stepped down as Rangers chairman
- 2 Premier League star won a battle with his neighbours
- 3 Eva Murati dubbed 'undisputed Queen of Champions League'
- 4 Club chief reveals failed move for Man Utd midfielder
- 5 Liverpool give Marc Guehi transfer boost
- 6 Laura Woods wears dazzling engagement ring live on TNT Sports
- 7 Stunning party girl caught up in Newcastle ace Kieran Trippier’s marriage riddle
- 8 Gabriel header earns depleted Arsenal derby victory at Tottenham
- 9 Karl Robinson pleased to see Salford come back to beat Cheltenham
- 10 Mikel Arteta praises absentee-hit Arsenal after claiming ‘ugly’ win at Spurs