Jordan Ayew and Schlupp Inspire Crystal Palace to Thrilling Win Against West Ham

• Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp played a key role as Crystal Palace defeated West Ham
• The Ghanaian duo were both on target in the 4-3 win at the Selhurst Park
• Ayew has been Palace's best player since the return of Roy Hodgson

Ghanaian duo, Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp were both on target as Crystal Palace defeated London rivals West Ham United in a thrilling encounter at the Selhurst Park.

Ayew, who has been in incredible form since the return to Roy Hodgson, gave Palace the needed response after a slow start, scoring to equalize an early strike from West Ham's Tomas Soucek.

Winger Wilfried Zaha shot the eagles into the lead six minutes later before Schlupp extended the lead in a blistering 30 minutes of football.

West Ham pulled one back before the break after Michael Antonio fired home with ten minutes remaining to end the half.

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Ebere Eze restored Crystal Palace's two-goal advantage after the break, slotting home from the spot.

West Ham had a consolation with 18 minutes remaining after Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd scored to reduce the deficit.

Ayew has now scored three goals in five matches under Hodgson, having only scored once during Patrick Vieira's time in charge.

The win sends Palace to eleventh on the table and 11 points from the drop zone.

What Schlupp said after the game

He said, as quoted by the club's website:

“It was crazy. It was a weird game, because we actually felt like we dominated the game to be honest, and you find yourself scrambling in the last five minutes!

“Personally [I thought], as a team, we played really well and dominated the game. You know they’re going to be a threat from set-pieces so we knew what we had to deal with, but I feel like we deserved the three points. It was a good performance.

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“You can tell there’s some freedom in there. The coaching staff want us to express ourselves. We’ve got a lot of flair and pace, and we’re really using that. We’re frightening teams – and we want to keep that going."

Hodgson praises in-form Ayew

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Crystal Palace manager, Roy Hodgson has hailed Ghanaian forward, Jordan Ayew following his heroic brace in the thumping win over Leeds United.

The striker, often overlooked despite his incredible work rate, has been the star of the South London side since the return of Hodgson.

Ayew provided the match-winning assist in the game against Leicester City a fortnight ago before scoring twice as the Eagles secured a 5-1 win at Elland Road.