Crystal Palace Old Boys Shine: Eze and Olise Lead European Giants

Crystal Palace old boys Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise stole the spotlight across Europe this past weekend, underlining their superstar status with match-winning performances for Arsenal and Bayern Munich, respectively.

Crystal Palace Old Boys Take Center Stage

Crystal Palace old boys were the story of the weekend as Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise each delivered outstanding displays to power their new clubs to crucial victories. Both players, products of Palace’s rich talent pool, reinforced their rising reputations following the international break, reminding football fans of their immense quality.

Eberechi Eze Ignites Arsenal’s Title Charge

Eberechi Eze, once on the verge of joining Tottenham, instead became Arsenal’s hero in the North London Derby. Slotting into Martin Odegaard’s role on the right of Mikel Arteta’s midfield three, Eze produced a hat-trick to push the Gunners six points clear atop the Premier League. His intelligence and technical flair were evident from the start, setting up Declan Rice for an early chance and then finishing with precision on either side of halftime. As Arsenal supporters celebrated, Tottenham fans could only look on, rueing what might have been had the summer transfer saga ended differently.

Olise Orchestrates Bayern’s Comeback

Meanwhile, Michael Olise, who left Crystal Palace for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024, showcased his creative brilliance as Bayern overturned a 2-0 deficit against Freiburg. Olise tallied five goal contributions: assisting teenager Lennart Karl, scoring the equaliser, setting up Dayot Upamecano and Nicolas Jackson, and capping his performance with a sensational solo goal. With 22 combined goals and assists in 23 appearances for club and country this season, Olise’s stock continues to rise as he eyes a Champions League showdown with Eze’s Arsenal.

Setbacks for Liverpool and Manchester City

While the Crystal Palace old boys impressed, it was a weekend to forget for Liverpool and Manchester City. Liverpool, the defending Premier League champions, slumped to a 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest. The result deepened their woes, leaving them in the bottom half and sparking questions about manager Arne Slot’s future. Big-money signing Alexander Isak, who returned to the starting XI, struggled to make an impact, symbolizing the club’s broader issues.

Manchester City, too, faltered, losing to Newcastle after squandering several clear chances. Phil Foden’s missed sitters, especially in the first half, drew attention as his rivals for a place in England’s World Cup squad shone. With Arsenal extending their lead, Pep Guardiola’s team must regroup quickly to remain in the title race.

Barcelona Celebrate Camp Nou Return, Inter Stumble in Milan Derby

Elsewhere in Europe, Barcelona made a triumphant return to Camp Nou after more than two years away, crushing Athletic Club 4-0. Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in a symbolic moment, as the Catalans closed the gap to Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. In Italy, the Milan derby saw AC Milan edge Inter 1-0, with Hakan Calhanoglu missing a decisive penalty. The result pushed Inter down to fourth, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this season’s Serie A title race.

Antonio Conte’s Napoli Find Their Feet

Antonio Conte responded to critics with a tactical masterclass as Napoli dismantled Atalanta 3-1. Switching to his preferred 3-4-3 formation, Conte’s wingers David Neres and Noa Lang delivered all three goals, easing concerns over squad harmony and keeping Napoli in the hunt for another Scudetto.

Crystal Palace Old Boys Set the Stage for Champions League Clash

With Crystal Palace old boys Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise at the heart of Arsenal’s and Bayern Munich’s attacks, all eyes turn to their upcoming Champions League meeting. Their journeys from Selhurst Park to the European elite underline the strength of Palace’s academy and the unpredictable magic of football’s transfer market.

Dortmund, Feyenoord, and Pogba: Mixed Fortunes Elsewhere

Borussia Dortmund’s inability to close out games continued, as they let a late lead slip against Stuttgart, leaving them well behind Bayern in the Bundesliga race. In the Netherlands, Robin van Persie’s Feyenoord suffered a disappointing collapse against NEC, losing ground in the Eredivisie title chase. On a brighter note, Paul Pogba made his long-awaited return from suspension and injury for Monaco, marking a small personal victory in a 4-1 defeat.

Opinion: Crystal Palace’s Impact is Unmistakable

The weekend’s action proved that Crystal Palace old boys are now key protagonists on the biggest stages. Eze and Olise’s development into leading men at Arsenal and Bayern is a testament to Palace’s player development and a reminder that top talent can emerge from any club. As they prepare to face off in the Champions League, fans can expect more drama and quality from two of Europe’s most exciting talents. For those eager to keep up with the latest football stories, visit for more news.