Wilfried Zaha says he needs to have his leg broken before an opponent is shown a yellow card, after his stunning strike gave Crystal Palace a 1-0 win at Huddersfield.
The often-targeted Eagles winger was the subject of some heavy challenges at the John Smith’s Stadium and picked up a yellow card himself for what appeared to be a retaliatory tackle.
In a strongly-worded post-match attack, Zaha also complained that he is treated differently than other players – and revealed a lack of protection makes him think twice about going on long runs.
Wilfried Zaha (centre) proved Crystal Palace’s match-winner as they beat Huddersfield 1-0 thanks to this wonderful strike
Zaha watches on as his shot flashes past Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl to give the London side the lead on Saturday
The goal was a thing of beauty from Zaha as he ran at the heart of the Terriers’ defence before curling it into the far corner
Zaha wheels away in celebration after scoring his stunning individual goal that sealed victory for Palace at Huddersfield
The 25-year-old was promptly mobbed by his Palace team-mates and assistant manager Ray Lewington on Saturday
‘I feel like I’d have to get my leg broken for anyone to get a card,’ the former Manchester United man said.
‘That’s why I lose my head. Why am I getting different treatment from other players? It is every week. I don’t know what to say. I have tried to speak to the referees. there’s nothing I can do any more. It is 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. On 38 minutes, with the match scoreless, he picked up the ball close to the right touchline, took a couple of step-overs burst past Florent Hadergjonaj and Phillip Billing before firing into the far corner.
Palace had lost the last 12 Premier League matches in which Zaha was not involved, including last time out’s disappointing 2-0 home reverse at the hands of Southampton. But he refused to take sole credit.
‘We are a team,’ he said. ‘Without my team-mates I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. If I manage to score for them, I do for the team.’
Huddersfield manager David Wagner (left) greets his Crystal Palace counterpart Roy Hodgson before kick-off on Saturday
Huddersfield’s Florent Hadergjonaj (left) and Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew battle for the ball in the opening exchanges
Palace midfielder James McArthur (left) takes a finger in the eye from Philip Billing during the clash in Yorkshire
Palace right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka tries to get an attack started for the visitors but is foiled by Terence Kongolo
Zaha was influential in a first Palace victory since their opening day triumph at Fulham, which left David Wagner’s hosts still searching for a first win of their second season in the top flight.
‘It was a wonderful goal, a really good goal’ beamed Hodgson, who revealed his talisman could not be kept on the treatment table.
‘He deserves enormous credit – the Injury would have kept many a player out for much longer,’ the former England manager added.
‘The doctors and physios couldn’t keep him back.’ 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 Hadergjonaj moments later.
‘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 Hodgson.
‘Unfortunately for Wilf, he’s got a strong sense of justice – he doesn’t think people should treat him unfairly but he’s learning.’
The victorious visitors welcomed back their talisman Zaha into their starting line-up after he overcame a groin injury
The Ivory Coast forward was in the thick of the action during a tight first half and was booked for a foul on Hadergjonaj
The odds suggest there appears to be little reason for Huddersfield turning up this season. Two points from five would suggest the bookies know what they are talking about.
Wagner’s battlers, who wasted a number of chances, are now scoreless in 24 of 43 Premier League fixtures but their manager was left to reflect on what he believes was a season’s best showing.
‘We are long enough in football to realise that sometimes you don’t get what you deserve,’ Wagner said.
‘Today the players deserved something. This was the best performance of the season.’
When asked whether Zaha should have been brought down before he scored, Wagner’s German side came to the fore.
‘We had several solutions,’ he said. ‘The one we used, to hope he doesn’t hit the target, was not the best one. You have to close the door.’
Palace manager Hodgson remonstrates with fourth official Andre Marriner over a decision in the Premier League encounter
Kongolo rises high to beat Andros Townsend (left) and Ayew to an aerial ball as Huddersfield went in search of an equaliser
Midfield rivals McArthur and Aaron Mooy are pictures of concentration as they battle for the ball during the second half
Palace thought they had doubled their lead when Cheikhou Kouyate (centre right) scored but his goal was disallowed