Wilfried Zaha scored a brace to help Crystal Palace produce one of the high-scoring football results of the midweek action in the Premier League. Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring for Palace in the 15th minute before Moussa Sissoko equalized in the 18th minute. Connor Gallagher once again put the hosts ahead in the 42nd minute before Wilfried Zaha sealed the three points with goals in the 85th and 90th minute respectively.
Player ratings
Watford: Foster (5), Femenia (6), Cathcart (5), Samir (5), Kamara (5), Sissoko (6), Louza (5), Cleverley (5), Sarr (6), King (5), Dennis (5).
Subs: Hernandez (5), Kayembe (5).
Crystal Palace: Butland (6), Clyne (6), Andersen (7), Guehi (7), Mitchell (7), Kouyate (6), Hughes (6), Olise (6), Gallagher (7), Zaha (8), Mateta (7).
Subs: Ayew (6), McArthur (6).
Man of the match: Wilfried Zaha.
Managers Reaction
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira: “I was really pleased with the team performance. We played well from the first minute and we managed to control the game in the second half. I’m really pleased for the players because I think lately we’ve been creating chances but not scoring so many goals. We’ve been losing points where we should take points. I’m really pleased because they deserve those three points.”
Watford boss Roy Hodgson: “It’s only one step back. To take two steps back we’d have had to have played really badly. I thought the scoreline flattered Crystal Palace to a certain extent. They took their chances well and we didn’t defend anywhere near well enough around our box. But it wasn’t a game where chances were being piled up one after the other.”
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