‘Top of his game’ – Roy Hodgson heaps praise on Palace attacker after Everton draw

Roy Hodgson says that Jordan Ayew is playing at the “top of his game” after Crystal Palace picked up a point in their 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday.

Ayew caused havoc for Mason Holgate during the game. The Everton defender was issued with a red card in the 80th minute when he brought down Ayew.

The Ghanaian international had three shots, completed five of his seven dribbles and won three aerial battles. 

Ayew, who has been starting in Wilfried Zaha’s absence, has four goal contributions in four games under the 75-year-old Hodgson.

The Eagles stayed 12th in the Premier League. 

“He’s in that sort of form, isn’t he?” said Hodgson of Ayew.

“Last week we were talking about him in the same way. He did exceptionally well at Southampton as well. All credit to him at the moment.

“He’s playing at the top of his game. The good thing about Jordan, even when he’s not at the top of his game, and even when things aren’t going for him – which at the moment, they are – he is still a very valuable member of the team.”

Palace kept back-to-back clean sheets in the league for the first time this season.

“I thought [Marc] Guehi was outstanding. I thought his partner [Joachim Andersen] and also the two full-backs [were too]. The goalkeeper was good – more than competent. Everton will make it hard for teams to keep clean sheets against them because of the number of balls they try and put into the penalty area from crosses and free-kicks.

“The type of personnel they have will profit from those crosses and long balls – they’re set up to take advantage of it.”