ROY: I WASN’T CRAFTY WITH ZAHA APPEAL

ROY HODGSON insists the decision to appeal against Wilfried Zaha’s extra match suspension was not a cunning plan to have their talisman available for Saturday’s match with West Ham. The original one-game ban for his dismissal in January against Southampton ruled him out of last weekend’s win over Fulham. His return was pivotal, as he scored the equaliser after Mark Noble put the Hammers ahead from the spot. The only reason Zaha was allowed to play was because he has appealed against an additional ban for ‘applauding’ referee Andre Marriner at St Mary’s. The FA should hear the appeal in the coming days. If the suspension is upheld, Zaha will miss the FA Cup fifth-round at Doncaster — a game he may be rested for, even if available. Hodgson, though, is adamant there was nothing crafty about the decision to appeal Zaha’s ban. ‘We have appealed because we thought we had a very good case,’ said the Palace boss. ‘If they uphold the ban, we would accept it and get on with it. But my hope is that it won’t be the case.’ Manuel Pellegrini is taking his West Ham squad to Spain for warm weather training this week.

CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-2): Guaita 6.5; Wan-Bissaka 7, Kelly 6.5, Sakho 7, VAN AANHOLT 7.5; Townsend 7, Milivojevic 6, McArthur 6 (Meyer 79min), Schlupp 6.5; Benteke 5 (Batshuayi 60, 6), Zaha 7. Subs not used: Hennessey, Ward, Dann, Ayew, Sako. Scorer: Zaha 76. Booked: Wan-Bissaka, Milivojevic, McArthur. Manager: Roy Hodgson: 6.5. WEST HAM UNITED (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 7, Fredericks 6.5 (Zabaleta 84), Diop 7, Ogbonna 7, Cresswell 6.5; Noble 7, Rice 7.5; Antonio 6.5 (Obiang 73), Snodgrass 6, Anderson 7; Hernandez 6.5 (Arnautovic 68, 6). Subs not used: Adrian, Carroll, Masuaku, Diangana. Scorer: Noble 27 (pen). Manager: Manuel Pellegrini: 6.5. Referee: Craig Pawson 6. Attendance: 25,552.