Sakho is making up for lost time

HE HAS endured an horrific time but Mamadou Sakho could banish all his bad memories by helping to save Crystal Palace from relegation.

A failed drugs test and a banishment to Liverpool’s reserves for poor timekeeping meant that Sakho had not played a first-team match for 10 months until Saturday.

A goal-saving first-half tackle on Cristhian Stuani was the highlight of a powerful performance by Sakho, which justified Sam Allardyce’s decision to sign him on loan.

“The most important thing for me is to get back on the pitch and to rediscover the pleasure of playing football,” said Sakho.

“During these 10 months, I worked a lot. I have been working hard on my fitness and after my performance today it

CRYSTAL PALACE

has all been worthwhile.” Sakho’s team-mates praised his commitment.

Christian Benteke said: “It was a big first match for Mamad and he had it in his heart to help us out of the relegation zone.”

Palace’s domination ought to have been rewarded with more than Patrick van Aanholt’s curling strike.

The win put them level with Middlesbrough on points and defender Ben Gibson said: “If anyone didn’t think we were in a relegation scrap before, they certainly do now.

“It’s something we need to put right immediately.”