July 21 2018

Jeffrey Schlupp

Crystal Palace secured back-to-back pre-season victories with a 3-1 win at Oxford United.

Five days after hammering Swedish club Halmstads, the Eagles returned home to England and saw off the League One side at the Kassam Stadium.

Palace had the better of the opening exchanges with WILFRIED ZAHA forcing a smart save out of Simon Eastwood and Alexander Sorloth headed wide of the goal.

But it was Oxford who got their noses in front against the run of play after 33 minutes. Jonathan Obika raced on to a long ball and rounded Wayne Hennessey on the edge of the area to score, despite James Tomkins' efforts to block on the line.

Andros Townsend and ZAHA had attempts on the U's goal to draw an equaliser but the half ended with the home team a goal to the good.

After the break, the on-form Eastwood managed to keep out ZAHA's header before the Eagles talisman levelled in the 55th minute with a blistering shot into the top corner.

Man-of-the-match ZAHA then expertly controlled Townsend's cross from the right to set up Jeffrey Schlupp to put Palace 2-1 in front on the hour mark.

Substitute Jason Puncheon almost netted with his first touch, but Eastwood denied the Palace midfielder.

However, fellow sub Sullay Kaikai did find the net in the 87th minute with a low finish from Townsend's cutback to wrap up a solid victory for Roy Hodgson's side.

Palace: Hennessey (Guaita 46), Wan-Bissaka (Ward 64), Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt, Townsend, McArthur (Puncheon 82), Riedewald, Schlupp (Williams 82), ZAHA, Sorloth (Kaikai 64).

Not used: Souare, Woods, Kelly, Lokilo.