Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha staying positive despite defeat to Burnley

06 November 2016 12:23

Wilfried Zaha insisted Crystal Palace have plenty of reasons to stay positive despite sliding to their fourth consecutive Premier League defeat in dramatic fashion at Burnley on Saturday.

The Eagles dredged themselves back from an early two-goal deficit to draw level at Turf Moor, only to lose out to a stunning injury-time winner from Clarets substitute Ashley Barnes.

The result increased the pressure on Palace boss Alan Pardew but Zaha believes the performance suggested that once they cut out costly errors, brighter things are ahead for his side.

Zaha told Palace TV: "You can't put your head down, you've just got to carry on going because no one else is going to do it for you. You have to keep plugging away.

"We stayed on the ball more [in the second half], we didn't get rid of it. We kept it and tried to make more opportunities - I think that's why it was different."

Sam Vokes and Johann Gudmundsson shot Burnley in front in the opening quarter of an hour but Palace rallied and substitute Connor Wickham reduced the deficit early in the second half.

Palace looked the most likely winners after Christian Benteke's 82nd minute penalty before Barnes struck - and there was still time for Andros Townsend to hit the post.

Zaha produced the cross for Wickham's crashing finish and his own performance proved one of the most positive notes for the Eagles - but he admitted there is still room for improvement.

Zaha added: "I'm not rushing things as much this season, I'm trying to go for better quality over quantity, so when I'm crossing it in I'm trying to pick out someone instead of just whacking it in there hoping for the best.

"I think that's what has changed - I'm slowing down and trying to pick out people."

Burnley's second consecutive last-gasp win at Turf Moor lifted them up to ninth place in the table and it was one boss Sean Dyche believes will be recalled for some time.

Dyche said: "That's arguably one that goes down in the folklore of my time here and I think people will talk about that for a while."

Source: PA