‘I’ll have my leg broken before refs show yellow’
WILFRIED ZAHA says he needs to have his leg broken before an opponent is shown a yellow card after his stunning strike gave Crystal Palace a 1-0 win at Huddersfield.
The winger was the subject of some heavy challenges yesterday and picked up a yellow card himself for what appeared to be a retaliatory tackle.
Zaha also complained that he is treated differently than other players — and revealed a lack of protection makes him think twice about going on long runs.
He said: ‘I feel like I’d have to get my leg broken for anyone to get a card. That’s why I lose my head. Why am I getting different treatment from other players? It is every week. I’ve tried to speak to the referees. There’s nothing I can do any more. It’s hard.
‘It doesn’t make you want to go on a run because someone will come through the back of you and it doesn’t allow you to express yourself. At the same time, I have to let my feet do the talking, which I did today.’
Zaha’s goal was majestic. In the 38th minute he picked up the ball close to the right touchline, took a couple of stepovers before firing into the far corner. Palace had lost the last 12 Premier League matches in which Zaha was not involved.
His influence helped secure a first Palace victory since their opening-day triumph at Fulham, which left David Wagner’s hosts still searching for a first win of their second season in the top flight.