Zaha ‘must end his call for red cards’
ROY HODGSON has told Wilfried Zaha to move on from his scathing criticism of referees, even if he understands the Palace winger’s ‘strong sense of justice’.
Zaha claimed he would need to have his leg broken before a red card was shown after Huddersfield’s Mathias Jorgensen was given only a yellow for a crunching challenge on him last week.
But manager Hodgson, who has spoken to Zaha, 25, about his comments, says he must put his frustrations behind him.
‘Wilf is a person who has a strong sense of justice,’ said Hodgson ahead of today’s visit of Newcastle. ‘Like all players of exceptional ability, they need to be looked after that extra bit, especially because they are the people we at Crystal Palace want to win us games.
‘They are also the people the public want to see. But as far as I am concerned we put a lid on this one.’
Zaha has been booked three times this season for retaliation. Along with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Zaha is the most fouled player in the Premier League this year.
Hodgson added: ‘Wilf is mature enough and good enough to know fouls are part of the business but we all hope our best players will be protected.’
Zaha has scored three goals in four league games for Palace. Hodgson wants him to use the fouls as motivation to score more.