1 ................ PALACE but drought continues
Scoring a ‘real issue’: Shearer
Diakhaby for Kachunga on 68, Wagner made a double substitution 10 minutes later, putting Laurent Depoitre and Isaac Mbenza into the attacking line and taking off Zanka and Van La Parra in a reshuffle.
It resulted in a lot of Town pressure and a handful of corners – Mounie steering wide when clear but offside, and Schindler drilling an effort high and wide – and the quick-breaking Palace somehow managed to hold on.
Incredibly, Billing then saw a goalbound effort deflected wide in the final seconds to compound Town’s agony. WHILE Match of the Day focused largely on match-winner Wilfried Zaha, Alan Shearer said Huddersfield Town’s inability to score was a “huge issue” for David Wagner and his squad.
BBC presenter Gary Lineker teed up the response from the pundit and Premier League scoring legend as they commented on Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win courtesy of Zaha’s wonderful finish at the John Smith’s Stadium.
“Huddersfield were a bit unlucky,” said Lineker, after Town had again been the last match featured on the programme.
“They created lots of chances, but they’ve got to start sticking the ball in the net – five goals in the last 15 games.”
Shearer responded: “David Wagner was right. They created so many chances but that’s a huge issue for them that they can’t put the ball in the back of the net.”
Zaha was interviewed about being the “recipient of a few tasty tackles”, with the programme showing a trip by Mathias Jorgensen and the Palace man’s own wild challenge on Flo Hadergjonaj, for which he was booked.
“I feel like before anyone gets a red card I will have to get my leg broken or something,” said Zaha. “This is why I lose my head. “Some of the yellow cards, like against Watford – the guy stood on the back of my calf and it’s still a yellow card.
“Why am I getting different treatment to other players?
“I just don’t understand it and it;s every week and every referee. I don’t know what to say any more.”
Lineker said; “Take it as a compliment, Wilf, is my advice. Players who get fouled more than anybody else are doing something right.
“And, also, he should have played in the 1980s if he wants to know what it was like getting kicked. But there are a lot of positives in his game.”
On Zaha being booed by Town’s fans each time he touched the ball, Shearer added: “It’s a sign of respect and the way to answer is to keep putting the ball in the back of the net. The crowd don’t boo bad players.”