Goals against your club’s arch-rivals can seal your place in their folklore. As Jordan Ayew wheeled away towards the Brighton & Hove Albion South Stand, he had done exactly that for Crystal Palace. But, not only did it help secure his place as a cult hero among the stands at Selhurst Park, it helped mark a superb turnaround in his form with the club.
Jordan Ayew Enjoying Superb Recent Turnaround
Hero to Zero
The Ghanian initially made the move to South London last season, joining on a season-long loan from Swansea City. His signing was met with caution; fans did not see it as the high-profile signing that was needed, and he carried an unwelcome record of having been relegated from the Premier League with every club he has been at.
Performances during the first half of the 2018/19 season were laborious at best. He fluttered in-and-out of the starting line-up as Roy Hodgson searched to end his strikers scoring problems. Ayew’s first goal, the first for any striker in the campaign for that matter, came in the 88th minute in a 2-0 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That slice of luck led to a goal the following game against Grimsby Town. However, those two goals in two games saw his season disintegrate into the abyss. Ayew would only contribute one more assist as Palace finished 12th in the Premier League.
Now a Contender for Player of the Year in Second Season at the Club
In the inflated modern market, £2.5 million for a striker who looks likely to score ten Premier League goals this season is arguably the bargain of the season.
Since their return to the Premier League in 2013, only two other strikers have scored ten goals or more. Christian Benteke scored 17 goals in all competitions during his first season with the club, while Dwight Gayle registered ten during the 2014/15 season. Benteke remains the club-record signing, while now-Newcastle United striker Gayle also cost more than Ayew.
While his arrival herald labels from fans as ‘nothing more than a squad player’ and angst over the forthcoming season, it is now anything but for those attend Selhurst Park. This is Palace’s best season in the Premier League, and Ayew has become a cult figure, representing a sharp change in fortunes.
Chances, and goals, have been hard to come by under Roy Hodgson this season. However, Jordan Ayew has taken each opportunity when it has arisen.
His seven goals this season have come at vital moments, under intense pressure. He sprinted away from Victor Lindelof to calmly slot home away to Manchester United. The following week saw him score once more against his former club Aston Villa.
October welcomed two goals in three games against West Ham United and Arsenal retrospectively, displaying his quality from close-range, helping his side collect four more points on the road.
His next two goals would then come in the reversal of those fixtures and saw him the Eagles goal of the season so far. The scene was set, Hodgson’s side were searching for the winner having levelled against West Ham at home on Boxing Day. Ayew then cut inside from the right-hand side, dancing past three visiting defenders in the process before gleefully chipping over the on-rushing Roberto.
Then, having won the fans’ plaudits this season already, his seventh goal of the season sealed their first win at the Amex Stadium in almost seven years. It marked a delightful turn around for Ayew and Crystal Palace.
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