Wilfried Zaha scores another brace including a long-range WORLDIE as Crystal Palace breeze past QPR

Wilfried Zaha scores another brace including an edge-of-the-box WORLDIE as Crystal Palace breeze past QPR in their latest pre-season fixture, with Eberechi Eze also on the scoresheet against his former club

  • Crystal Palace defeated QPR 3-0 at Loftus Road in pre-season this afternoon
  • Wilfried Zaha scored his second brace of the week with two fine goals
  • The forward’s first was a fantastic curling effort from the edge of the area
  • Eberechi Eze scored the opener in the first half against his former team 

Wilfried Zaha scored his second brace of the week for Crystal Palace as the Eagles defeated QPR in their latest pre-season friendly.

The forward bagged a fine opener from the edge of the area before converting a penalty to continue his fine form in preparation for the Premier League season.

Eberechi Eze scored a quality opener against his former side earlier on in the game, which overall was a positive runout for Palace with the start of the season now fewer than two weeks away.

Wilfried Zaha scored a fantastic long-range goal against QPR at Loftus Road this afternoon

Zaha pointed to the travelling Palace fans after his curling effort hit the back of the net

Zaha pointed to the travelling Palace fans after his curling effort hit the back of the net

The forward also netted a penalty in the second half after Christian Benteke was fouled

The forward also netted a penalty in the second half after Christian Benteke was fouled

The game started slowly, with few chances for either side early on at Loftus Road.

Eze opened the scoring with a low strike from 20-yards, netting against the team he left for Palace back in 2020 for nearly £20million.

The hosts responded well and almost levelled immediately, with Osman Kaykay running forward before firing just wide of Joe Whitworth’s far post.

Whitworth saved from Sam Field as Rangers continued to push for an equaliser, but it was Palace that would find the second goal just after the half-time break.

After Kaykay was on hand to block from Zaha, Palace’s star man produced a fine curling effort from the edge of the area past a hopeless Seny Dieng before pointing up to the away fans and embracing with Eze.

Eberechi Eze scored an impressive opener, beating Seny Dieng from 20 years with a low effort

Eberechi Eze scored an impressive opener, beating Seny Dieng from 20 years with a low effort

Eze joined Crystal Palace from QPR back in 2020 after making 112 appearances for the club

Eze joined Crystal Palace from QPR back in 2020 after making 112 appearances for the club

The two managers began to ring the changes in what was a quieter second half, but Christian Benteke picked things up by earning Crystal Palace a penalty when he was dragged down in the area trying to get on the end of a ball into the box.

Zaha sent Dieng the wrong way to clock his fourth goal in two games after another brace at Gillingham on Tuesday, and the 29-year-old is looking in scintillating form ahead of the new campaign.

The full-time whistle wrapped up another positive afternoon for Palace’s UK-based outfit, with minutes in the legs for several key players ahead of their opener against Arsenal at Selhurst Park.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk