Premier League winners and losers: United keep up the pressure

Winner: Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha was injured on the opening day of the Premier League season against Huddersfield. The injury forced him to miss six games early on in the season. His first match back was against Chelsea, where he scored Palace’s game-winner and gave the team their first points.

Zaha was at it again on Saturday, capping off a second-half comeback for Palace against West Ham. He left it much later than he did against Chelsea, scoring in the 97th minute to tie the game up. Thanks in part to a confounding cross to no one by Michail Antonio in the dying moments, Palace were able to go forward for one last attack. Zaha received the ball on the edge of the penalty box and drove towards the goal before curling a low effort past Joe Hart, who was having a great match himself.

Palace deserved at least a point from their performance. They were the better side for large stretches, and had nine shots on target to West Ham’s two. Palace also won the possession battle, and added 11 corners as well. However, Roy Hodgson’s side needs to pick up wins against the lower sides in the league if they want to stay up. Drawing to teams like West Ham is the least they need to do.

But for now, Zaha is the big winner. He has rejuvenated an otherwise listless side in the past few weeks, and has done so without the squad’s best striker Christian Benteke. The target forward is still out for a few weeks, and Palace will need Zaha to continue his good run of form in the meantime.