Michael Olise notched his 10th Premier League goal of the season as Crystal Palace secured a 3-1 victory over Wolves at Molineux.
Following his brace in the 4-0 triumph over Manchester United, Olise broke the deadlock in the 26th minute with a splendid curling strike from the edge of the box.
Oliver Glasner’s team extended their lead to 2-0 when Jean-Philippe Mateta netted his 13th league goal of the season, tapping in Nathaniel Clyne’s effort off the post after a cleverly chipped through ball by Olise.
Matheus Cunha pulled one back for Wolves in the 66th minute before Eberechi Eze rounded Dan Bentley to secure all three points.
Defender Matt Doherty came closest for Wolves in the first half, heading against the crossbar as Palace entered halftime with a two-goal advantage.
However, O’Neil’s side struck back in the 66th minute when Cunha found the net for his 12th league goal of the season.
Minutes later, Wolves nearly leveled the score, but Clyne’s exceptional last-ditch defending preserved his team’s lead.
Palace finished the game with 10 men after substitute Naouirou Ahamada received a second yellow card deep into the second half.
Having won five of their last six matches, Palace has now leapfrogged Wolves into 12th place in the Premier League standings.
Olise hits Premier League double figures
Having overcome injury setbacks earlier in the season, Olise is currently displaying exceptional form, having scored three goals in his last two matches.
While his stellar performance with a brace against Manchester United on Monday drew well-deserved praise, doubts lingered about his ability to maintain such form. However, those doubts proved unfounded.
Although he missed an early chance to open the scoring in the first half, Olise capitalized on his next opportunity, expertly curling the ball beyond Bentley into the far corner with his foot.
With 10 goals in 18 league appearances, accompanied by five assists, the 22-year-old’s contributions are remarkable for a player in a team currently positioned 12th in the league.
Displaying remarkable ease on the field, the Palace number seven is exhibiting signs of evolving into a player of world-class caliber.
Sluggish Wolves need a summer boost
Wolves may be grateful they have just one game left this season, with their poor run of form continuing.
O’Neil’s side have now won once in their last nine league matches and have just one clean sheet to their name in their past 11 games.
With their status in the Premier League secured some time ago and European football out of the equation, Wolves seem to be coasting through to the season’s end.
But the performance of the players in these games could prove pivotal for their future, and O’Neil may well have summer plans cemented by this point and targets identified.
Palace have just leapfrogged Wolves into 12th in the table but on the pitch the sides could not look further apart.