EBERECHI Eze struck twice as Cherries’ impressive run on the road was halted with a 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

Seeking four Premier League away wins on the spin for the first time in the club’s history, Cherries never looked like coming away with victory at Selhurst Park, Eze striking either side of half time.

The loss means Cherries are still not yet mathematically assured of avoiding relegation, but would be should Everton lose to Manchester City on Sunday, or Leicester City fail to beat Liverpool on Monday.

Gary O’Neil made two changes from the side which lost to Chelsea. Chris Mepham replaced Adam Smith at right-back, while January signing Illia Zabarnyi made his first start for the club as Marcos Senesi dropped to the bench.

Neither side could create any clear-cut openings during a lacklustre opening 20 minutes. Dominic Solanke saw a header blocked, while at the other end Michael Olise curled a shot wide and Wilfried Zaha had a penalty shout waved away following a tangle of legs with Philip Billing.

Palace began to build momentum. Jordan Ayew headed well wide from a Joel Ward cross, before Zaha completely missed the ball at the back post with the goal gaping, after a deep delivery from Olise.

Solanke hacked off the line as the hosts earned a string of corners, before a big moment for the officials. As Joachim Andersen swung his arms to try and get away from Jefferson Lerma at a corner, the Dane’s fist connected with the face of Cherries’ midfielder.

Video assistant referee Andy Madley reviewed the footage for a potential red card, but did not recommend on-field official Michael Salisbury to take a look, and play continued.

Palace soon got their noses in front. After a good passage of build-up, Zaha showed a moment of class to spin away from both Mepham and Zabarnyi before delivering low into the box. Ayew flicked the ball on to an unmarked Eze to sweep home, six minutes before the break.

Zaha came close to doubling the tally soon after, collecting Andersen’s diagonal pass and cutting inside Mepham, before firing wide.

Palace continued where they left off after the restart, Neto beating away a well struck Will Hughes volley.

The Eagles were dealt a blow six minutes into the second half, talisman Zaha forced off injured after a chase down the left flank.

But that did little to deter them as they doubled their lead before the hour mark. Olise’s sumptuous cross-field pass found Eze, who cut inside and smashed into the top corner from the edge of the box.

O’Neil made a triple change, introducing Smith, David Brooks and Kieffer Moore, before Jaidon Anthony and Lewis Cook were also thrown on.

But nobody could spark a Cherries revival, home goalkeeper Sam Johnstone not tested all afternoon.

Cherries: Neto; Mepham, Zabarnyi, Kelly, Vina (Smith, 60); Lerma, Rothwell (Cook, 81); Ouattara (Anthony, 73), Billing (Brooks, 60), Christie (Moore, 60); Solanke.

Unused subs: Stacey, Stephens, Senesi, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Lerma, Brooks.

Crystal Palace: Johnstone; Ward, Guehi, Andersen, Mitchell; Doucoure (McArthur, 81), Eze, Hughes (Riedewald, 77); Olise, Zaha (Edouard, 51), Ayew.

Unused subs: Clyne, Richards, Lokonga, Ahamada, Mateta, Guaita (g/k).

Booked: None.

Referee: Michael Salisbury.

VAR: Andy Madley.