We got in City’s faces, says Wilf

CRYSTAL Palace set out to frustrate City and get in their faces from the start in their 2-0 win at the Etihad on Saturday, according to chief tormentor Wilfried Zaha.

Palace took an early lead against City, Zaha capitalising on a poor Aymeric Laporte pass, playing a one-two with Conor Gallagher, and scuffing a shot past Ederson five minutes in.

The Eagles never let City settle, and began slowing the game down at every opportunity, while pressing intelligently whenever they got the chance.

And they got their rewards for such a bold approach as Zaha was sent free at the end of the first half, drawing a foul from Laporte who was sent off as last man.

The decision sparked some angry reactions from City players, with Bernardo Silva earning a booking for fouling Bernardo, and Ederson joining him in the book for confronting Zaha after the half time whistle blew. Palace held on in the second half, and scored a decisive second goal on the break late on.

According to Zaha, the visitors intentionally tried to ‘get in the faces’ of City players and stop them from building any momentum in the game.

“It was about getting in their faces and not letting them play,” he revealed after the game.

“We know how good they are, we wanted to show them what we could do.”

Reflecting on the two goals, Zaha said Palace also got their rewards from trusting their own game.

He explained: “I scuffed it but a goal is a goal.

“I was just buzzing to see it go in, so I was happy.

“Conor Gallagher brings a lot of energy and I needed people to link up with and it makes a massive difference when he helps out.

“I feel like we have had a threat but the difference now is that we keep the ball from the back and build and make our chances.

“We are now exploiting our talent.”