Jermaine Jenas believes Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze will be at his best for the rest of the season.
The former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder commented after the 24-year-old scored a brace in the Eagles 2-0 win against Southampton.
After a goalless first-half, Eze score two in 14 minutes in the second period to secure three vital points for Palace who maintain their winning streak under Roy Hodgson, winning three in a row since the 75-year-old was re-appointed as Palace manager.
READ MORE: Eberechi Eze makes Crystal Palace admission after Premier League brace vs Southampton
Palace remained 12th in the table but are now nine points clear of the relegation zone with seven games remaining. After scoring a double against Saints, Eze was unquestionably the star of the show.
“He was,” said Jenas on BBC’s Match of the Day when asked. “In a game actually where Southampton started okay but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net, which has been the story of their season so far.
“It lacked quality but Eze brought all of that quality that was needed to the table with just little moments of play, a calmness in certain areas of the pitch that got Palace playing. It was surprising that in the latter stages under Vieira’s tenure that he left him out and didn’t play him as much.
“He gets his [first] goal here, an easy enough finish, right place right time, sticks it in the back of the net. Himself and [Michael] Olise really have an impact on this side.
“This is just lovely [for the second goal]. Working and operating in that little bit of space. He looks powerful as well at the minute. This bit of skill here is outrageous, [Ainsley] Maitland-Niles didn’t know which way to turn, it was unbelievable.
“I think just look of him, his legs, his physique, he just looks solid. There’s no doubt that they are going to get the best out of him for the rest of the season now.”
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