Dwight Gayle has scored a hat-trick on his first start of the season to give Crystal Palace a 3-0 half-time lead over Walsall in their Capital One Cup second-round tie.
The club-record signing has only featured as a substitute in Palace's two Premier League defeats so far this term, but League One Walsall are also struggling for form.
Gayle first exploited this in the seventh minute when he was released by Adlene Guedioura's quick free kick to drill a shot beyond home goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell at the Bescot Stadium.
The Eagles doubled their advantage from another set piece on 25 minutes as Gayle fired through the wall from a central position, 25 yards out, to secure his third brace in his last five appearances.
The Selhurst Park outfit were knocked out of the competition at this stage last season, but they were put firmly on course for the third round when Gayle completed a 41-minute treble by shifting and shooting from the edge of the box.
Joe Fish
