Wilfried Zaha scores in Brentford draw to highlight importance to Crystal Palace

Posted Wednesday, August 31, 2022 by PA

Wilfried Zaha emphasised his importance to Crystal Palace ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline but his side had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Brentford following Yoane Wissa’s late equaliser.

Talisman Zaha, who is reportedly a target for Chelsea and Arsenal before the window closes, looked to have earned Palace a slender win with a stunning second-half opener.

But the battling Bees snatched a share of the spoils against their London rivals thanks to unmarked substitute Wissa heading home two minutes from time.

Thomas Frank’s visitors very nearly left Selhurst Park with all three points as Rico Henry then squandered a golden opportunity in stoppage time before Ben Mee headed against the crossbar.

Michael Olise hit a post for the Eagles ahead of Zaha’s 59th-minute opener, while many of Brentford’s earlier forays forward were undermined by a lack of cutting edge.

Having missed Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Manchester City due to a leg issue, Zaha was back in the spotlight.

Eagles boss Patrick Vieira was tight-lipped on the future of his star man when asked ahead of kick-off but said the Ivory Coast international, whose contract expires next summer, “didn’t mention anything about leaving”.

Home fans sang Zaha’s name throughout the evening, beginning early in an opening period devoid of goalmouth action.

Palace pair Jeffrey Schlupp and Olise fired straight at Brentford goalkeeper David Raya from range, while Zaha’s best opportunity was thwarted by a fine block from Bees right-back Aaron Hickey.

Brentford showed plenty of attacking promise but, despite a string of corners, failed to test Palace keeper Vicente Guaita, albeit Mathias Jorgensen headed over from inside the six-yard box.

Both of last season’s meetings between the clubs finished goalless and a repeat looked extremely likely at the break.

However, with Palace having hit five goals in their last two top-flight outings and the Bees managing 20 attempts during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Everton, there was evidence to suggest the second half would be an improvement.

Olise – making his first Premier League start of the season – almost provided the breakthrough seven minutes after the restart.

The midfielder drove forward and cut inside Vitaly Janelt but his bending attempt from just outside the Bees’ 18-yard box struck the outside of the left upright.

Brentford captain Ivan Toney then fluffed his lines after Mathias Jensen’s clever free-kick set up a close-range volley at goal.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 59th minute and there was an air of inevitability about the identity of the scorer.

Brentford sloppily conceded possession deep inside their own territory and, after receiving the ball wide on the left from Cheick Doucoure, Zaha stepped inside Scotland international Hickey to expertly find the far corner from just outside the penalty area.

The Bees have not won away to Palace since March 1957 and rarely threatened a way back into the game until the late twist.

Wissa, who replaced Jensen nine minutes earlier, escaped the home defence and confidently nodded Janelt’s cross beyond Guaita.

With Palace reeling from the leveller, they very nearly conceded again.

Left-back Henry wastefully fired straight at Guaita with only the keeper to beat before Mee’s header into the ground from a corner bounced into the turf and back off the frame of the goal.