C Palace 1 - 0 WatfordTroy Deeney’s own goal gifts Crystal Palace rare home win against Watford
Home team scorersTroy Deeney 68 o.g.
A penny for Gareth Southgate’s thoughts. In the week that the England manager picked his first squad since being confirmed as Sam Allardyce’s permanent replacement, Wilfried Zaha turned in yet another virtuoso performance as his former club put distance between themselves and the bottom three with a third straight victory.
An own goal from Watford captain Troy Deeney after Zaha had been scythed down for the umpteenth time on an afternoon when he gave the visiting back four a torrid time was enough to lift Palace four points clear of Hull, who lie third from bottom. Daylight is finally at the end of the tunnel, but how Southgate must wish the winger raised in south London had not opted to represent Ivory Coast last year given the season he is having.
Palace’s revival under Allardyce had seen them pick up more points from their last two matches as they had in his first eight games in charge to lift themselves clear of the relegation zone. In the absence of left-back Patrick Van Aanholt – who scored the winning goal against Middlesbrough in the last game at Selhurst Park – through injury, they were able to draft in another £9m January signing in the form of Jeffrey Schlupp.
That and the presence of eight current internationals in Palace’s starting lineup is a measure of the extent of investment that has been ploughed into this squad by its American co-owners in a bid to ensure they remain in the Premier League. But with just 10 points and 14 goals from 13 matches, Allardyce’s side began this game with the division’s worst home record and the prospect of facing all of the current top six before the season is over. Watford, in contrast, had less to worry about given that sat seven points clear of danger at kick-off despite winning only twice in their last 12 matches. In Deeney, however, they had a player looking to prove a point after he was left out of the England squad despite scoring five goals in his last six appearances.
Zaha, who played for Southgate during his spell in charge of the under-21s, went down on the edge of the box under a challenge from Craig Cathcart in the game’s first meaningful incident after four minutes. Referee Martin Atkinson waved away the protests, and on closer inspection, Zaha appeared to be pushed but the contact came just outside the area.
After that there was little to report during the first half as both teams struggled to create chances on a blustery day. Deeney grew more frustrated as the half wore on as Watford’s wide players Daryl Janmaat and M’baye Niang struggled to provide any service for him.
At the other end, a flash of brilliance from Zaha saw the ball fall to Yohan Cabaye, whose shot was blocked for a corner. In Palace’s next attack, Watford somehow bundled away Andros Townsend’s cross as Mamadou Sakho waited to pounce at the back post but that was as close as anyone came to breaking the deadlock in a forgettable 45 minutes.
Abdoulaye Doucouré replaced Valon Behrami at the break but Watford continued to stick to their gameplan of allowing Palace possession. Deeney continued to hustle and harry up against the powerful Sakho and almost had his chance when a long throw-in fell to him, only for a last-ditch boot to deny him.
The France centre-half – so instrumental in Palace’s last two victories – also seemed to be the team’s most potent attacking weapon at times with his long-range passing from the back. Twice Christian Benteke latched on to them but could not quite create the opening. Zaha then should have done better when Townsend’s cross found him at the back post and his shot was way off target.
It felt like a goal was coming and so it proved. Switched to the left flank, Zaha was taken out by Sebastian Prödl with a wild tackle and, after a long delay while M’baye Niang received treatment, Cabaye’s free-kick skimmed off the top of Deeney’s head and in via the post.
It was a cruel blow for the Watford forward but probably no more than Palace, and Zaha in particular, had deserved. On this evidence and with Tottenham lurking in the wings, they will struggle to hold on to him in the summer – even if safety is secured.
Guardian
