Premier League: Wilfried Zaha praises Alan Pardew's instant impact at Crystal Palace after win over Tottenham
Sunday 11 January 2015 14:34, UK
Wilfried Zaha feels Alan Pardew has brought the feel-good factor back to Crystal Palace since his appointment as manager.
Pardew was confirmed as Neil Warnock's successor at Selhurst Park last week and his first Premier League game in charge saw the Eagles beat Tottenham 2-1 on Saturday evening.
Palace rallied from the concession of an early second-half goal to Harry Kane to take three vital points, Zaha playing a big part in setting up Jason Puncheon for what turned out to be the winner.
Buzzing
"I think the gaffer has brought a high around the team again," said Zaha, whose performance off the bench Pardew described as 'electrifying.'
"I'd heard a couple of good things about him before he came in and he's brought something different which will help us move forwards.
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"He told us he wants to add a threat going forward and gave us set positions and tasks to do, like catch them on the break, and that's what happened.
"Even though I wasn't starting I couldn't let my head go down, I just knew that if I came on I had to make an impression for the gaffer and I did that so I'm buzzing.
"He told me to go on and take on players so I never had any fear coming onto the pitch, I just knew I had to do one piece of magic and give us a chance and I'm glad I did that.
"I came on when the game was open which gave me a chance to get at them and try and get a goal or two. I was unlucky in that respect today but hopefully on another day I will."
No fear
Zaha is back at the club on loan from Manchester United for the rest of the season and he was delighted to have been able to help Palace to victory, as much for the fans as himself.
"We just have to play with no fear because we're around the bottom half of the table and we've got nothing to lose so we had to go at them," Zaha said.
"Beating a team like Tottenham makes it even better. There's always pressure in the Premier League but you have to deliver and we did that today.
"The Selhurst crowd is unbelievable and when they're buzzing you just want to play for longer and I'm glad we managed to give back to them today."
