EBERECHI Eze was the king of Loftus Road again on Tuesday night – this time for the opposition.
Crystal Palace’s Eze scored the winner in the 64th minute as Oliver Glasner’s side saw off a spirited display from Championship Queens Park Rangers in the third round of the League Cup.
Eddie Nketiah had given the Eagles the lead on sixteen minutes before Sam Field levelled eight minutes into the second half.
Eze, 26, launched his career at QPR in 2016 after being released by Millwall and scored 20 goals in 112 games before a £20million move to Palace in 2020.
“That was the main thing as to what we wanted to come here and do today, win, go through to the next round, and put in a performance,” Eze said on Palace’s website.
“It’s a difficult place to come. You can see the atmosphere, it’s not easy to play under, but we did what we needed to do, and that’s the most important thing.
“That’s what we were saying there [in the changing room], sometimes games are tough, and you’re under it a bit and they’re applying pressure, but to come out on the other side with the victory, that’s a testament to the character of the boys.”
Eze’s goal had an element of fortune as the ball hit QPR defender Steve Cook and wrong-footed goalkeeper Joe Walsh.
Eze said: “To be fair, I wasn’t sure if it was going wide or not, but yeah, I’ll take the goal, man!
“Of course, to come back here and to score is a great feeling, and I enjoyed today which is important as well.
“It’s always a good feeling [to return to Loftus Road]. I came back for a pre-season game and that was cool as well, but to come back in a competitive one, to see the energy and the atmosphere here, that was a sick feeling. I enjoyed it.
“I’m happy to win, happy to score, and just to show a bit of love to the fans as well, which is a good thing to do.”
Eze also provided the assist for Nketiah for his first Eagles goal since his move from Arsenal on deadline day.
“He’s a top player, I know that,” Eze said.
“If you put him in the right places he’s going to finish, and he’s got the first one . I’m sure many will come after this.”
Glasner said: “It was a tough game, but we expected a tough game here against a good Championship team in their stadium.
“It was very tight and then I think we controlled the game, took the lead, fully deserved. Then, they came back with a set-play and the crowd got loud, and I think we had a great reaction. We scored immediately our second goal and, with also great support from our fans here behind the goal, over 90 minutes I think it’s deserved – but it was a tough game.”
“I think we have to accept that not every game is brilliant, when you play every third day and with a very, very big comeback against Leicester. With a lot of effort and then playing three days later here, and them getting the equaliser after a corner ,and then coming back…again, we’re on the right pathway. It’s not everything perfect.
“Sometimes you have to work for the win. We worked today for the win, and so we are pleased that we’re in the next round.”
