Wilfried Zaha says he’s not fussed about where rivals Brighton & Hove Albion end in the Premier League this season as long as Crystal Palace finish strongly.
Wilfried Zaha said: “For me personally, I don’t really care where Brighton finish – that’s not my motivation. My motivation is for the club to go as high as possible. The season isn’t done until the last whistle is blown and there are no more games left. That’s my motivation – to get this team to finish as high as possible.”
The winger received the ball out wide and took a touch past Przemysław Płacheta before firing a perfect, curling effort past Angus Gunn and into the top corner of the net. That goal was one of 14 scored by Zaha so far this season, surpassing his previous career-best tally of 11 set last year under Roy Hodgson. It’s also the third time in the last four years he’s hit double figures for the campaign, though Vieira has still said he thinks Zaha should be aiming to score 20 for Palace in a season. Speaking about his goal of the season strike against Norwich,
Wilfried Zaha added: “It’s easy, to be honest. I just shifted the ball and tried to strike it as hard as I could really. It was a carefully measured shot at the same time so I was happy that it went flying into the top corner.”
Asked if Vieira’s possession-based style of play was helping the team’s attacking output and in particular his own,
Wilfried Zaha said: “The way we play has made a massive difference. We’re more attacking now. Every team we come up against we try to defend from the front and the way we defend allows us to have more opportunities. I’ve definitely enjoyed my football this season.”
Palace still have three matches whereby Zaha can increase his tally, with Vieira taking his side to Aston Villa on Sunday before a midweek trip to Everton is followed by a home match against Manchester United at Selhurst Park.
