Wilfred Zaha will miss tonight’s game against Everton through suspension following a dive.
Zaha, 23, netted only his second goal of the season and received his fifth booking last weekend in Palace’s 5-1 win over Newcastle and will now serve a one-match ban.
Zaha has been instrumental in many of Palace’s games since Alan Pardew took over at the helm at Selhurst Park helping them to seventh in the Premier League, this season he has created 18 chances, more than fellow wide-man Yannick Bolasie.
Pardew has encouraged Zaha to take on his players and aim to get a goal. Zaha has certainly done that under the manager terrorising the Premier League full-backs, in each game Zaha has gone from strength to strength and in November he beat more men than any player in the league.
Eagles manager Alan Pardew has spoken to the former Manchester United winger over the dive and says he must cut that side of his game out.
“Saturday was a dive,” Pardew told the club’s official website (via London24.com). Pardew was disappointed in how the 23-year-old conducted himself during the 5-1 win and as a result, he will miss tonight’s game.
“He’s paid the price, he can’t play this week and now his place is in jeopardy,”
He added, “if someone comes in and does a great job then he might not get back in the side.”
Pardew believes the ban will be good for Zaha in the long run. The former-Newcastle boss insists that “he’ll learn that lesson.”
The Palace manager has a tough approach when it comes to diving, but he was quick to defend Zaha’s actions, “He’s not somebody that is renowned for diving,” Pardew continued stating his opinion on that side of the modern game, “it’s something that I personally discourage. I really don’t like it in the game.”
He left no stone unturned when speaking to the tricky winger, as a manager who widely praises Zaha, Pardew felt that he needed to talk to him about future conduct, “He’s had my feelings on it and he’ll learn from that experience.”
Pardew continued to speak about how it’s a tiny side of his game which needs improving, “It’s just a tiny aspect of his game which he needs to correct.”
He concluded by praising the winger, who has blossomed under his management.
Remember this is a guy who has been having a great season for us. He’s been instrumental in a lot of our victories, so I’ve been very, very pleased with him.
