Wilf can get his kicks in different way
AT TIMES they lined up to kick him, or else he was policed by four defenders. But still Watford could not subdue Palace’s wing wizard Wilfried Zaha.
Tom Cleverley tried too many times and was booked, so too was Sebastian Prodl, and referee Martin Atkinson was forever stepping in to admonish some careless tackling.
Zaha, bought by Manchester United and then sold back to Palace, is a match-winner but is paying the price for his outrageous skills.
“Wilf gets terrible treatment,” said manager Palace Sam Allardyce.
“He gets fouled so much because he’s so skilful. Perhaps he needs more protection from referees.
“It seems he gets caught as many times as Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and that’s why he becomes so frustrated. Wilf has to realise it’s all because of his genius ability and these lads can’t cope with him and so they end up fouling him.
“Getting kicked is a compliment when opposition players can’t handle his ability and foul him persistently.
“Wilf is still learning but I’ve told him if he wants to be a real success he needs to smile a bit more.
“He doesn’t realise how important the game is and how it should be enjoyed.
“Sometimes he looks a little miserable so I say, ‘Come on, Wilf, smile, enjoy what you’re doing, the game is over so quickly, it doesn’t last long, time flies by’.
“He should have enjoyed his game today.”
Zaha is showcasing his best form of the season and Allardyce
CRYSTAL PALACE
has used him as Palace’s focal attacking point down either flank, where his pace and dribbling skills are so destructive.
It left Watford right-back Craig Cathcart saying: “On his day, he is more or less unplayable.”
An own-goal from Troy Deeney was enough to bring three precious points for Palace and drag Watford into the relegation battle.
Deeney later held up his hands to apologise to his team-mates for turning Yohan Cabaye’s free-kick, awarded after yet another foul on Zaha, past his own keeper Heurelho Gomes in the 67th minute.
After that, Watford’s clumsy football never threatened a Palace side who have suddenly found their resilience at the back, a new determination to defend.
Allardyce added: “I feel more comfortable about things now.
“We are probably 10 points away from safety still, but I couldn’t have envisaged that a few weeks ago.
“This was a tough battle but my fingernails are OK. The chewing gum usage has gone up, though.”
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-3-2-1):