Crystal Palace's Zaha matches personal record with strike against Liverpool

Wilfried Zaha equalled his Crystal Palace record with a goal against ten-man Liverpool in Monday’s Premier League outing.

In the keenly contested fixture that ended 1-1, the Cote d’Ivoire international gave Patrick Vieira’s men a first-half lead before the hosts restored parity through Luis Diaz.

Having found the net against the Reds, Zaha becomes the first Palace player to score in two different English top-flight matches against Liverpool at Anfield. He scored his other goal there in May 2015.

Following a disappointing 2-2 draw against Fulham in week one, Jurgen Klopp’s men hosted the Eagles with the ambition of securing their first win in the 2022-23 campaign.

Despite boasting superior ball possession, the hosts could not get the breakthrough as Palace put up a solid defensive display.

Nevertheless, it was Vieira’s team that took a shock lead in the 32nd minute lead against the run of play. From a long kick from goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, Eberechi Eze raced past Fabinho before teeing up Zaha – who sped into the box and placed the ball into the far bottom corner of Alisson Becker's goal.

Interestingly, four of Eze’s eight English elite division assists have been for Zaha, with three of those assists for the former Manchester United player coming away from home.

Three minutes before the hour mark, Liverpool’s ambition of securing all points suffered a massive setback as Darwin Nunez was given this marching orders by Paul Tierney for headbutting Joachim Andersen.

Even at their numerical disadvantage, Klopp’s side levelled thanks to Diaz who was set up by James Milner.

At the end of 90 minutes, the game ended on a no winner no vanquished note as Liverpool would rue missing numerous scoring opportunities, particularly in the first half.

Zaha was on parade from start to finish while Ghana’s Jeffrey Schlupp, Mali’s Cheick Oumar Doucoure, and Jordan Ayew were subbed off for Michael Olise, Will Hughes, and Odsonne Edouard in the second half.

On the other hand, Egypt international Mohamed Salah saw every minute of action, whereas, Guinea’s Naby Keita was an unused substitute.

Next up for Liverpool is an away showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 22 with Crystal Palace hosting Aston Villa two days earlier.