CRYSTAL Palace’s Yannick Bolasie put on a man of the match display as the Eagles cruised to a 3-0 victory over 10-man Brighton at Selhurst Park.

The French-born winger was instrumental throughout, setting up Glenn Murray’s first and playing a crucial role in winning the first penalty.

And his performance earned high praise from Palace manager Ian Holloway.

The Eagles boss said: “It’s great to see young players like Yannick getting forward.

“He has bundles of energy and, to me, that is Palace.

“That is why I am here and that is why I am loving what I am seeing.

“What I am learning about our two wide men is you think you have got them but before you know it they are past you. “ For Bolasie, though, it is just a privilege to play football after a torrid spell at Bristol City, where he found himself frozen out at Ashton Gate.

He said: “Since I’ve come to Palace, I have been playing games and that is the only thing I really wanted to do.

“That’s why I joined Palace.

“I’m lucky Palace took a chance on me and gave me this opportunity and hopefully I am repaying the faith and showing people what I can do.”

He certainly has.

The Selhurst Park faithful have quickly taken to the 23-year-old whose direct running, trickery and set-piece delivery has ensured Palace are a completely different team this season.

In Bolasie and England international Wilfried Zaha, the Eagles have the most potent double act in the Championship and both players share a great deal of respect for each other’s ability.

“He attracts a lot of players which means I get a lot of space,” explained Bolasie.

“It’s great playing with Wilf, he’s so mercurial.

“Wilf is just Wilf.”

England international Zaha is just as complimentary about his team-mate, stating he has developed the best partnership of his career with the Lyon-born winger.

And if the SE25 outfit can keep them both fit and firing, then Holloway will fancy his chances of still being at the top of the table come May, with Bolasie certainly not ruling it out.

“We’re buzzing,” the winger said.

“Everyone is bouncy and we’re showing that out on the pitch.

“I think we can stay here but I like to take games one at a time, keep my feet on the ground and see what comes because not everything will go your way.

“Everyone’s feet are on the ground and everything we do is as a team.”

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt