HUDDERSFIELD 0
ROY HODGSON insists Wilfried Zaha is in the same class as the likes of Raheem Sterling and Mo Salah after his latest heroics.
Huddersfield made the fatal mistake of winding up the Crystal Palace dangerman with a series of crunching challenges.
But boss Hodgson praised Zaha for keeping his composure before exacting revenge with a superb solo goal.
It was the Palace talisman’s third impressive start this season, after missing their previous loss to Southampton with injury. And he quickly made his presence felt at the John Smith’s Stadium where his pace and power stretched Town.
His superb 38th-minute goal was worthy of winning any match after a brilliant run before a deadly finish.
Hodgson said: “Wilf was lively throughout and deserves enormous credit. I think he has to come to terms with getting fouled when you are a player who is so good at running with the ball.
“The Man City players like Sterling and Leroy Sane and the Liverpool players Saido Mane and Salah, those players who are quick and very good at running with the ball, they get fouled.
“They have to learn to accept this will happen. They have also got to learn to accept when you are playing away from home the opposing fans never see a foul and think the guy is making it up. Unfortunately Wilf has a strong sense of justice and doesn’t think people should treat him that unfairly, but he is learning quickly.”
The hosts played positively throughout and should have scored on 17 minutes when Steve Mounie put a header over.
Zaha, fuming after being fouled several times, went in the book for exacting revenge on Florent Hadergjonaj.
But Zaha soon focused his efforts. He picked up Jordan Ayew’s lay-off, raced ahead and cut in past Hadergjonaj and Elias Kachunga before curling a rightfoot shot into the corner. Zaha might have scored again shortly after but his right-foot effort was straight at Jonas Lossl.
Town were desperately unlucky not to level from Aaron Mooy’s right-foot volley which smashed the post. Terriers coach David Wagner (below), whose side are still searching for their first win of the season, said: “Sometimes you don’t get what you deserve.
“This was our best performance of the season.
“The only thing that makes me really angry was we prepared the players for Zaha.
“You have to double or triple mark him more aggressively and close the door.”