Eze scores twice as resurgent Palace beats Southampton 2-0

SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Eberechi Eze scored twice and resurgent Crystal Palace beat last-place Southampton 2-0 on Saturday in the Premier League for its third straight victory since the return of manager Roy Hodgson.

Eze knocked in a rebound from close range in the 54th minute and struck from distance 14 minutes later at St. Mary's Stadium in a victory that should ease any concerns Palace had about relegation.

It's a third consecutive loss for Southampton, though, and with seven matches remaining Ruben Selles' team is running out of time to find points.

The Saints have gone six straight games without a win and will travel to London to face first-place Arsenal next Friday.

Palace was without a win in 2023 when it hired the 75-year-old Hodgson last month as the replacement for the fired Patrick Vieira.

The visitors opened the scoring when Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu parried Jordan Ayew's shot into the center of the box, where Eze awaited before scoring with a left-footed volley. Eze then beat two defenders and struck with his other foot on a low shot that beat Bazunu to the far post.

Carlos Alcaraz nearly cut the lead in half when his shot hit the post in the 72nd minute.

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