Zaha has last laugh as Palace expose Koeman plan
WILFRIED ZAHA volleyed in Crystal Palace’s winner against Southampton, ran into the corner of St Mary’s Stadium containing the travelling supporters and took a dramatic swan dive on to the soaked turf.
Was this a witty retort to his many critics? Manager Alan Pardew has castigated him for diving this season, and pundits have called him out for it when those cringeworthy replays are shown of him going down with barely a flicker from an opponent. He has been booked twice already this season for simulation.
Jurgen Klinsmann created the celebration when he scored on his Spurs debut in 1994 and, in response to much being made of his history of diving when he moved to White Hart Lane. Zaha had a cheeky smile on his face as he replicated that, 22 years on. After the victory, Pardew scanned the afternoon’s results and was rather pleased. ‘That’s the best result of the FA Cup so far,’ he declared.
Zaha’s goal settled a tie in which Southampton boss Ronald Koeman’s decision to play five at the back — largely unsuccessful and unpopular at the start of the season but rekindled once again here — stifled the first half.
Steven Davis’s mistake allowed Palace to break quickly on 29 minutes. The ball was taken off him by Jason Puncheon who broke down the right and delayed his pass until the last moment, eventually rolling the ball into the path of Joel Ward who had hared up from the back to finish past Maarten Stekelenburg.
A huge cheer went up from the home fans when Maya Yoshida was replaced by Juanmi as Koeman ditched his defensive five at the break. His players looked more comfortable instantly and were level six minutes later. Cuco Martina held his run to stay onside and shot powerfully at goal. Wayne Hennessey could only parry and Oriol Romeu scored the rebound.
However, it left Southampton lighter at the back and Zaha put Palace back ahead once again, on 68 minutes. Puncheon’s shot was pushed away by Stekelenburg and Zaha carefully volleyed the ball into the open net. SOUTHAMPTON (5-3-2): Stekelenburg 6; Martina 6, Yoshida 5.5 (Juanmi 46, 6), Van Dijk 6, Jose Fonte 6, Targett 5.5; Clasie 6 (Ward-Prowse 76), Davis 5 (Tadic 46, 6.5), Romeu 7; Mane 6.5, Long 6. Subs (not used): Gazzaniga, Soares, Reed, Seager. Booked: Mane, Long. CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-1-1): Hennessey 7; Ward 7, Dann 6.5, Delaney 6, Souare 6; Zaha 7, Cabaye 6 (Jedina 83), Ledley 6, Puncheon 7.5; Mutch 6 (Sako 57, 6); Campbell 6 (Chamakh 76). Subs (not used): Speroni, Hangeland, Kelly, Lee. Booked: Ledley. REfEREE: Lee Mason, 7.