EFL CUP Plymouth Argyle 2 Crystal Palace 4
- Details
- Created on Tuesday, 29 August 2023 22:49
- Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 August 2023 22:49
- Published on Tuesday, 29 August 2023 22:49
- Written by ROSS REID at Home Park
Palace scored three second half goals in four minutes to turn the tie on its head.
An inspirational triple substitution – the introduction of Jordan Ayew, Eberechi Eze and Jeffrey Schlupp on 55 minutes – had an immediate impact.
All three played a part in the four Palace goals.
Ayew’s inch perfect cross from the right hand side of the box was converted by Odsonne Edouard on 59 minutes.
Mateta scored his first in the 61st minute teed up by Eze after a superb run down the left by Tyrick Mitchell.
Within a minute the French striker had put Palace ahead, hammering the ball home from Schlupp’s superb defence-splitting pass into the penalty area on 62.
Mateta completed his treble in the 83rd minute, roofing the ball home from an angle after Eze had won the ball in midfield and put him in on goal.
Argyle had taken a sixth minute lead from their first meaningful attack as impresive Tyreik Wright broke down the right.
His deep cross was headed back across goal from the far post by Callum Wright, where New Zealand international striker Ben Waine hooked the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
Palace thought they had levelled when Jesurun Rak-Sakyi fired home but the effort was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne made a brilliant far post clearance as the Wright combination worked well again.
Another deep cross from the right by Tyreik Wright was cleared by cleverly cleared by Clyne as Callum Wright tried sweeping the ball home off the foot of the upright.
Palace should have levelled in the 32nd minute after another brilliant incisive run from Rak-Sakyi, cutting in from the right and sending a low cross speeding across the Argyle goalmouth.
Mateta slid in at the far post but just failed to connect as the ball sped out of play.
As half time approached Kaine Kesler-Hayden made a last-ditch tackle to deny Naouirou Ahamada as he homed in on goal.
Argyle only took 30 seconds of the second half to double their lead.
Mikel Miller cut in from the left and passed forward to attacking midfielder Luke Cundle, who curled the ball in past full-stretch diving Palace number one Sam Johnstone from 25 yards.
It was a goal of quality from the 21-year-old, on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Cundle was instrumental in Argyle’s next attack, beating the offside trap down the right before sending another deep cross across the face of the Palace goal, looping over Johnstone towards the far post.
After Argyle took the lead, Waine nearly levelled with a superb strike from outside the box, similar to Cundle's goal, but this time Johnstone was equal to the audacious effort, brilliantly palming the ball to safety at full stretch.
SWSN Star Tyreik Wright
Attendance 15,826
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