Edouard’s second-half goal gives Crystal Palace win over Sheffield United

SHEFFIELD, England (AP) — Odsonne Edouard’s goal early in the second half earned Crystal Palace a 1-0 opening win at Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday to worsen the gloom at Bramall Lane.

Edouard struck from close range four minutes after the restart in a game that Palace largely dominated. Jordan Ayew found a good position on the right-hand side and sent in a tricky low cross which Edouard stabbed in from close range.

Roy Hodgson’s Palace had two further goals disallowed, while Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham made a number of saves to keep his side in the game.

Hodgson was involved in a touchline incident with Max Lowe midway through the second half when the Blades defender — in a hurry to reclaim the ball — appeared to shove the 76-year-old manager in the midriff. But Hodgson played down the incident later, telling the BBC he didn't think it was malicious.

Sheffield United’s return to the top flight after two seasons away ended with a poor defeat to compound a negative few weeks which saw the sale of Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge. Manager Paul Heckingbottom acknowledged before the match that his team is “nowhere near” where they need to be, though the signing of Gustavo Hamer from Coventry overnight had boosted the mood.

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