When billions are spent by Premier League clubs, the £2.5million paid by Crystal Palace for Jordan Ayew in 2019 looks one of the great bargains of our time.
Ayew celebrated his 250th Premier League game and a new deal with a terrific assist as Roy Hodgson, 76, presided over another tactical masterclass.
The Ghanaian embodies the efficient and unfussy way Palace do things. This fourth clean sheet in six has put them comfortably mid-table.
‘I didn’t play much in my first season. I didn’t think I’d be here too long. It shows you can’t predict things in life,’ said 32-year-old Ayew. ‘Roy has been fantastic for Palace. He blends the best qualities of an old and a young manager.’
How Burnley would enjoy such ‘dull’ stability. Once Ayew set up Jeffrey Schlupp’s opener, Vincent Kompany’s men looked doomed to become the first side to lose their first six at home in a top-flight season.
The hosts were then caught by a sucker punch in stoppage time as Tyrick Mitchell rolled in to leave the Clarets joint-bottom.
