BBC SPORT
Odsonne Edouard spoiled Sheffield United’s return to the Premier League to give Crystal Palace a winning start to life after Wilfried Zaha.
This season is the first since 2013-14 where the Eagles will be without Zaha after their talismanic forward’s departure in the summer.
But Edouard turned in Jordan Ayew’s cross just after half-time.
Debutant William Osula went close for United but Palace had several chances to make their victory more emphatic.
The goal came when Jordan Ayew ran at Ben Osborn on Palace’s right wing before delivering a low cross for Edouard to tap in from close range.
The French striker, 25, should have claimed a second when he sent a tame header straight at Wes Foderingham, who also denied Ayew and Joachim Andersen late on.
But the Eagles had done enough to give Roy Hodgson, who celebrated his 76th birthday three days ago, a winning start to his 41st season as a manager – and his 1,242nd game as boss.
Since finishing last season as Championship runners-up, United have sold two key players and been struck by a spate of injuries.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom started two 20-year-old forwards – Osula and summer signing Benie Traore – and the former almost made a dream start to his full United debut as his curling shot deflected narrowly wide.
But otherwise Palace, who kept Hodgson at the helm after the veteran boss came in to steady the ship last season, dominated for most of the contest.
Ayew had a goal disallowed for offside while Edouard and Cheick Doucoure tested Foderingham, before Edouard made the breakthrough.
More to follow.
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