A double from Wilfried Zaha helped Crystal Palace to a 3-1 victory against Aston Villa, picking up their first Premier League win of the new season.
It was an entertaining encounter from the off at a sunny Selhurst Park as Ollie Watkins (5) fired Aston Villa into an early lead. Leon Bailey nodded down a long pass into the striker’s path, and he made no mistake in firing past Vicente Guaita.
But the Crystal Palace goalkeeper was rarely tested from then on, and Crystal Palace hit back quickly. Zaha (7) broke from the halfway line before driving into the area and slotting coolly past Emiliano Martinez.
The Eagles thought they had taken the lead late in the first half when Jeffrey Sclupp fired home from Odsonne Edouard’s cutback, but VAR deemed Edouard to be offside from the initial free kick.
After Bailey struck the woodwork early in the second half, Crystal Palace soon had a second that counted, with VAR involved again. Lucas Digne was penalised for handball after a Marc Guehi header – expertly saved by Martinez – hit his raised arm.
Referee Andy Madley awarded the penalty after checking the pitchside monitor, with Zaha lining up the spot kick. His initial effort was saved by Martinez – who, despite the scoreline, had an impressive game – but his stop did not go far enough as Zaha easily slotted the rebound (58).
It was a penalty decision deemed ‘harsh’ by Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard, who said: “I’m not sure what the rules say but I’m sure there’s a rule in there that will go against us, but I felt for Lucas.
It was a penalty decision deemed ‘harsh’ by Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard, who said: “I’m not sure what the rules say but I’m sure there’s a rule in there that will go against us, but I felt for Lucas.
“I’m not sure what else he can do, he’s going up fairly to challenge for the ball, he’s trying to gain leverage and height and the header’s hit his arm from less than a metre away.
“Our ‘keeper makes a save so it’s not like he stopped a goal on purpose… When you need full leverage at the back post and you’re in a duel, sometimes your body parts go into unnatural positions. The referees need to show common sense because for me, it’s a very harsh penalty and a very harsh rule.”
Crystal Palace looked dangerous in every attack and added their third with one of the moves of the game. It was a sumptuous Zaha backheel that saw Tyrick Mitchell burst down the left wing, with his fizzing cross slotted home by a sliding Jean-Philippe Mateta (71), the striker’s first touch as a substitute.
The victory sees Crystal Palace register their first three points of the season, following on from their 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Monday Night Football. However, Aston Villa – without defensive summer signing Diego Carlos – were unable to capitalise on the momentum from their first win against Everton last weekend.
Sky sports
