‘I’ll have my leg broken before refs show a yellow card for challenges...’

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 step-overs 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 openingday triumph at Fulham, which left David Wagner’s hosts still searching for a first win of their second season in the top flight. But

Zaha was given his usual rough treatment, cynically brought down early on by Zanka before picking up a yellow of his own for a shove on Florent Hadergjonaj soon after.

‘You see it with Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, the Manes, the Salahs — those players that are quick and good with running with the ball they get fouled, they have to accept this will happen,’ said Palace manager Roy Hodgson. ‘Unfortunately for Wilf he has a strong sense of justice, he doesn’t think people should treat him unfairly but he’s learning.’

Huddersfield are now scoreless in 24 of 43 Premier League games but Wagner said: ‘We are long enough in football to realise that sometimes you don’t get what you deserve. But this was the best performance of the season.’