Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Crystal Palace, Football, Wilfried Zaha, Norwich City, Premier League
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Crystal Palace, Football, Wilfried Zaha, Norwich City, Premier League
Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha scored a stunning long-range goal against Norwich before producing one of the worst penalties you’re ever likely to see.
Norwich took the lead at Carrow Road through the quickest goal of the Premier League season, Teemu Pukki putting the home side ahead after just 40 seconds.
It took Palace until the hour mark to draw level in dramatic style.
Zaha cut inside from the left before firing an unstoppable shot past Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
It was the perfect return to the side for Zaha, who had not featured for Palace since Boxing Day through a combination of suspension and competing at the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast.
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He had the chance to put his side ahead from the penalty spot just minutes later after Tyrick Mitchell was fouled inside the area.
But the former Manchester United winger could only tamely scuff his shot wide of the post to the disbelief of Palace supporters.
The match would finish 1-1, with Palace remaining 13th in the Premier League and Norwich staying 18th - with the Canaries now a point adrift of safety.
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Speaking after the match, Zaha attempted to explain his shocking penalty miss.
"I felt my left leg go and thought 'I've messed this up'," he told BBC Sport.
"I was shocked. That's football. I was buzzing about the goal then I missed that.
“I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. That's the first pen I've missed. I'm confident to go again and take it [the next one]."
In what now appear to be prophetic pre-match comments, Palace manager Patrick Vieira had urged Zaha to show more consistency with his play.
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"I think with his potential he can do more,” said Vieira.
“I'm really demanding on him because of his ability, in possession and out of possession. I think he's a player that can deliver and he needs to be more consistent.
“He is an important player for the team and for the squad. Obviously we are a stronger team when he is on the field and plays at the level we all know he can do.”