Zaha stars as Arsenal halt Crystal Palace’s unbeaten run

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Zaha stars as Arsenal halt Crystal Palace’s unbeaten run image
Wilfried Zaha gave an impressive showing but was unable to save Crystal Palace from going down 3-2 to Arsenal at the Selhurst Park on Thursday evening.

The loss saw Roy Hodgson’s side succumb to their first defeat in nine consecutive English Premier League games, with their last coming away at Tottenham Hotspur on November 5.

With the visitors leading through a 25-minute strike from Skdoran Mustafi, Zaha skillfully crafted the assist - his third in two matches against the North London side - for Andros Townsend’s leveller four minutes after the interval.

A brace from Alexis Sanchez ensured Arsene Wenger’s men sealed the victory but there was still time for a late consolation from James Tomkins, off a Townsend corner kick.

Zaha who was a torn in the visitors’ defence - especially for right-back Hector Bellerin whom he skipped past severally - played for the entire duration of the tie. And, in tandem with Townsend, he almost carved the equalising goal in the dying moment of the encounter.

Ghana’s Jeffrey Schlupp also played the full match, and did so in the left-back position, combining effectively with the Cote d’Ivoire livewire. And, Mali forward Bakary Sako managed to threaten the visitors in his 20-minute cameo.

For the Gunners, Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi was an unused substitute.

 

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