Crystal Palace boss Hodgson praises Zaha and Townsend after win over Norwich City

BY SAM SMITH

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has praised Wilfried Zaha and substitute Andros Townsend after the pair combined to score the second goal in the 2-0 victory over Norwich City.

Townsend has lost his usual regular place in the starting 11 to Jeffrey Schlupp but came on to score in added-time after good work from Zaha.

Hodgson said: “I’m really happy that defensively we did that well. I’m also happy for Andros Townsend, who hasn’t had the best start to the season by his own admission. We have few players with a mirror who will ask themselves questions, but Andros is one of those. 

“He’s obviously an important player for us. It was good to see him get that goal with an assist from Wilf Zaha.

“These are two important players for us, in terms of our attacking player. It was nice to see them combine.”

Zaha had an excellent first half, involved in the build-up to the awarding of the penalty from which Luka Milivojevic opened the scoring.

The Ivorian was quiet in the second half but his solo run led to Townsend steering home in injury time.

“I think he (Zaha) was even better against Wolves,” Hodgson admitted. 

“At the start of the season, perhaps the first two games, he wasn’t the Wilf that we know and love. 

“But since then he has been. He is a player that we need and a player that we don’t want to lose. 

“I am realistic and I understand one day we might not be able to bat off the interest in him. To his credit he’s got his head around that.”