Zaha in fresh diving row in Watford stalemate
Sunderland relegated to 3rd tier for 1st time in 30 yrs British Soccer Results/Standings
WATFORD, United Kingdom, April 21, (AFP): Wilfried Zaha was involved in a fresh diving storm after the Crystal Palace star was booked for simulation in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Watford.
Zaha has been accused of diving several times this season and the Ivory Coast winger once again found himself in the spotlight for alleged gamesmanship at Vicarage Road.
He angered Watford when he tumbled theatrically in a failed bid to win a penalty following Abdoulaye Doucoure’s first half challenge.
Zaha escaped a booking for that incident but when he fell again in the Watford penalty area, this time after an Adrian Mariappa tackle, Kavanagh finally produced a yellow card.
The Palace player has been a hate figure to Watford fans since winning the controversial penalty that settled a Championship playoff final between the two clubs in 2015.
Last season, Watford mascot Harry the Hornet mocked Zaha by diving in front of him at the end of a league match at Vicarage Road.
Zaha’s antics couldn’t inspire Palace to the win that would have effectively sealed their Premier League status for another season.
The Eagles are now 15th, six points clear of the relegation zone with three games left.
Watford, without a victory from their past five, threatened in the fourth minute when the recalled Stefano Okaka beat James Tomkins to Troy Deeney’s cross and headed against the woodwork.
Sunderland were relegated to England’s third tier for the first time in 30 years on Saturday as the Championship’s bottom club lost 2-1 to fellow strugglers Burton.
Chris Coleman’s side have crashed into League One only a year after being relegated from the Premier League.
They have played only one season outside the top two tiers of English football in their entire history, winning promotion from the old Third Division in 1987-88.
Burton striker Darren Bent returned to haunt his former team with an 86th-minute equaliser to cancel out Paddy McNair’s opener on 34 minutes at the Stadium of Light.
Liam Boyce headed second-bottom Burton in front in second half stoppage-time before Sunderland had a late equaliser disallowed to provide a fitting finale to their wretched season.
Sunderland are six points from safety with only two matches left and the remaining fixtures of their relegation rivals make it mathematically impossible to avoid the drop.
Promoted Wolves celebrated their ascent to the Premier League by clinching the Championship title with a 4-0 win at lowly Bolton.
Needing one point from their final three matches to be crowned champions, Wolves got the job done thanks to goals from Barry Douglas, Benik Afobe and Diogo Jota plus a Conor Coady penalty.
Wolves are two points shy of 100 for the season with games against Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland still to come.
Lewis Grabban netted twice as Aston Villa kept their slim automatic promotion hopes alive with a 4-0 victory at 10-man Ipswich.
Conor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury were also on target at Portman Road, where Ipswich midfielder Grant Ward was shown a red card for a rash tackle in the 42nd minute.
Goals in either half from Mo
Watford’s Christian Kabasele (left), and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match at Vicarage
Road, Watford, England on April 21. (AP)
Besic and Britt Assombalonga ensured Middlesbrough beat play-off rivals Derby 2-1 and consolidated their place in the top six.
David Nugent converted a lastminute penalty for Derby, who are one point off sixth-placed Millwall.
Brentford are level on points with Derby following a 2-1 win over west London rivals QPR at Griffin Park.
Bristol City let a 4-2 lead slip as they drew 5-5 with Hull, while Preston were held to a 0-0 draw by Norwich.
Birmingham came from behind to boost their survival hopes with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday beat Reading 3-0.
Third bottom Barnsley remain in the relegation zone after losing 2-1 at a Leeds side managed by their former manager Paul Heckingbottom. Roma’s Patrick Schick celebrates after he scored his side’s third goal during a Serie A soccer match between SPAL and AS Roma, at Paolo Mazza Stadium in Ferrara,
Italy on April 21. (AP)