Wilfried Zaha proved once again that he is the man in charge at Selhurst Park as his well-taken winner capped a stunning turnaround against Crystal Palace’s managerless Wolves.
Adama Traore’s header gave the visitors a half-time lead which was almost doubled when Ruben Neves hit the post on the stroke of half-time at Selhurst Park.
But Palace never looked back when Ibrechi Eze nodded in an equalizer from Michael Oleis’ pinpoint cross just 63 seconds into the second half.
Zaha then latched onto Odense Eduard’s pass and slotted past Jose Sa for his fifth goal of the season to lift Palace to 10th in the Premier League table.
“We had to dig deep – we were playing well in the first half but the goal was a massive blow,” Zaha told after Palace’s back-to-back home win.
“We had to keep going. That’s what happens in the Premier League – we knew we had it in us and we got what we deserved.”
Wolves, with ex-Ajax and Borussia Dortmund boss Peter Bosz linked as the latest name in the hunt for Bruno Leigh’s successor, are 17th, just one point above the relegation places.
They came close to rescuing a point in London but Neves’ late strike was brilliantly saved by Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guetta.
‘Sensational’ Zaha Returns to Shine for Kings Palace
Only four players have scored more than Zaha’s 14 Premier League goals in 2022 – Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Ivan Toni and Erling Haaland.
Wolves are only too familiar with his abilities – Zaha scored in Palace’s 2-0 win against them last season and followed that up with the winner here.
In addition, the 29-year-old appears to be blossoming into a senior player, helping to develop Palace’s crop of talented youngsters including Eze, Oles, Mark Gehey and Tyreek Mitchell.
“I’ve just moved from a dribbler to a goalie. We just need to perform,” he told Amazon Prime after Palace’s win. “When I talk to young people, my mindset is performance, I only drip when I really have to.”
The Ivorian international enjoyed 75 touches against Wolves, the most of any attacker on the pitch, while his six successful dribbles were four more than any other player.
“Zaha was sensational in the second half and sometimes he’s unplayable when he’s in that mood – whether he’s creating chances or taking them himself,” former Wales and West Ham defender James Collins said.
“On the other hand, you could see what it meant to him.
“When they defend well and those attacking players are released for Palace, it’s a real joy to watch.”
