Sheffield United 0 Crystal Palace 2 – Roy Hodgson’s side secure their ninth season in the Premier League  

Christian Benteke and Eberechi Eze scored as Crystal Palace secured their ninth consecutive season in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Roy Hodgson made it clear before the game that he wanted his side to be “bold” in their attacking verve against the Blades. However, even the 73-year-old would have been impressed with the move that allowed Palace to take the lead.

With the home side’s relegation from the Premier League already confirmed, Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades had the shackles removed – but it allowed the Eagles to expose the defensive freedom early on.

It took just 67 seconds for Palace to take the lead through Christian Benteke. Eberechi Eze was given time and space inside the home side’s half as he drifted towards goal.

After bypassing Chris Basham, Eze cut it back to Benteke inside the area, and the Belgian striker duly struck a shot, which deflected over Aaron Ramsdale and into the back of the net.

Benteke nearly doubled the lead after juggling the ball inside the area, bewildering the Blades’ defence. However, his tame effort forced a comfortable save from Aaron Ramsdale.

The Eagles continued to push for a second of the match – with Andros Townsend, Luka Milivojevic and Eberechi Eze all trying their luck from long-range.

As they looked to get back into the game, Heckingbottom’s side persisted with aimless crosses into the box, as Palace’s stubborn defence stifled any attacking threat from the home side.

Benteke then had a glorious opportunity to double his tally as the first half drew to a close.

Jeffrey Schlupp drove down the left-hand side and clipped a ball into the waiting Benteke – but the striker’s header from point-blank range was kept out superbly by Ramsdale.

The second half saw the home side come out and begin to unlock their attacking intent.

Sander Berge could have won a penalty for his side in the early stages of the second half but chose not to go down inside the area from a Tyrick Mitchell challenge.

The Blades then had another opportunity to pull level, but John Egan failed to keep his wayward shot under Vicente Guaita’s crossbar.

But it would be Palace who had the clearest chance to score in the opening phase of the second half.

Benteke robbed John Fleck on the edge of the box and set his sights on goal. After brushing past Kean Bryan, Benteke unleashed a shot that agonisingly crashed back off the post.

The ominous threat of an equaliser for the home side still loomed over Palace heads – with the Blades coming close twice in quick succession.

Chris Basham nearly brought the game all square with a shot inside the box that flew into the side-netting, and 17-year-old Daniel Jebbison headed Ben Osborne’s pinpoint cross just over the bar.

Substitute Jordan Ayew almost added Palace’s second, but his effort inside the area was blocked sensationally by Enda Stevens.

Despite missing a flurry of chances in the second half, Palace wrapped up all three points through Eze.

The 22-year-old glided across the Bramall Lane turf, skipped past several Sheffield United players, and buried a shot past Ramsdale to take all three points back to Selhurst Park.

The South Londoners have now extended their Premier League stay to a ninth consecutive season.