Wilfried Zaha played through a potential groin injury in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester City

Wilfried Zaha played through a potential groin injury in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, manager Roy Hodgson has revealed.

The 28-year-old felt discomfort in his groin during a shooting drill as the Eagles prepared to take on Pep Guardiola’s side at Selhurst Park.

Zaha was not at his best in the game, often frustrated by the excellent Joao Cancelo. The full-back dispossessed the Ivory Coast international on a couple of occasions.

Second half goals by Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres put the visitors within touching distance of a third Premier League title in four years.

Hodgson said: “During the warm-up, he (Zaha) was striking the ball and felt something in his groin, but he was adamant to me and the medical staff that he was going to play through it.

“He thinks he might have damaged his groin a little bit and of course I, and the rest of staff, we kept trying to get him to commit [to a decision], if you like, but he kept saying he was okay, but one couldn’t be 100 per cent sure how okay he was.

“But on the other hand, what other yardstick and we got to measure by?

“There were moments he looked a little concerned, but I can’t point to anything where he didn’t do his job and his work he should be, he’s done very well.

“What could we do? Medical people didn’t find anything in the few minutes before kick-off and it came down to Wilf’s assessment.”