Eagles get off the mark with Swedish win

July 16 2018

Patrick van Aanholt

Crystal Palace got their first pre-season victory with a 6-1 triumph over Halmstad.

Eagles manager Roy Hodgson fielded a strong line-up and it took 13 minutes before his team got the first goal.

Good build-up play from Andros Townsend led to Christian Benteke to firing into the bottom corner. However, the Belgian striker injured himself in the process and had to be replaced by Sullay Kaikai.

Four minutes later, Halmstad drew level with a strike from Pontus Sifwer that flew in off the bar.

Palace restored their lead with a goal from Patrick van Aarnholt in the 38th minute after a neat exchange with Alexander Sorloth.

Van Aarnholt got his second of the game two minutes later to increase Palace’s lead with another effort into the bottom corner.

Substitute Kaikai made it 4-1 three minutes before the break with a low strike from the edge of the area.

James McArthur grabbed a fine fifth goal in the 61st minute with a left-foot curler into the top corner.

Substitute Jason Puncheon made an immediate impact by slotting home Townsend's cross for 6-1 in the 66th minute and complete a comfortable victory.

Palace: Hennessey, Wan-Bissaka (Ward 65), Tomkins (Kelly 71), Sakho (Jach 71), Van Aanholt (Souare 65), Townsend (Lokilo 71), McArthur (Williams 71), Riedewald, Schlupp (Puncheon 65), Sorloth, Benteke (Kaikai 18).

Not used: Speroni.