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Football

01st Sep 2018

Crystal Palace’s hopes of victory today have taken a huge hit

Wayne Farry

Wilfried Zaha

No Wilfried Zaha? No party for Crystal Palace

That, unfortunately for Eagles fans is exactly how it has gone recently when without Wilfried Zaha. During the 2017/18 season Palace did not claim a single Premier League point without him; an indication of their reliance on the Ivory Coast international.

Since his return from his ill-fated spell at Manchester United, Zaha has shown the sort of inspired and exciting form that shows why the Red Devils were so willing to acquire him all those years ago.

Zaha has been a bright spark for Palace since that return and his spectacular form last season has continued into this one, despite Palace losing two of their first three league matches.

Roy Hodgson’s side host Southampton at Selhurst Park today without Zaha – who is not even in the squad – and it will be both a disappointment and an opportunity to prove that they are not just a one-man team.

It is as yet unclear whether Zaha has been dropped or if he is injured, though the latter appears to be the more likely reason.