August 30 2014

Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha scores on his returning debut as Crystal Palace draw 3-3 with Newcastle United.

Zaha was left on the bench by new manager Neil Warnock, as he opted to start Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon on the wings.

Scott Dann replaced Brede Hangeland in the back four, and Adrian Mariappa started as right back with Joel Ward moving into the centre of midfield alongside Mile Jedinak.

Dwight Gayle was rewarded with a start after his hattrick against Walsall in the League Cup.

The Eagles got off a brilliant start after only 30 seconds of the game played when Marouane Chamakh's shot rebounded of the post and Gayle was quickest to the ball slotting it high into the net past Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal to put Palace 1-0 ahead.

Some poor defending by Palace in the 37th minute gave Newcastle a goal. Daryl Janmaat slotting past Julian Speroni after the Eagles failed to clear the ball out of the box.

Three minutes after the break however Palace were back in front. A high looping ball in the box was brilliantly volleyed home by Puncheon, past a despairing Krul.

Zaha came on in the 70th minute, replacing Dwight Gayle.

18-year-old Rolando Aarons put the home side level again a few minutes later, getting a header in from a corner.

It looked to be heartbreak for Palace two minutes from normal time when Aarons curled the ball towards goal, only to see his effort hit the post and rebound favourably to Mike Williamson who stabbed the ball home from close range to make it 3-2 to Newcastle.

Palace weren't defeated though and in the 5th minute of 7 injury time minutes, Zaha scored an equaliser from a nod down by Damien Delaney to cap a great first appearance back in a Palace shirt.

Palace: Speroni, Mariappa, Kelly, Jedinak, Dann, Delaney, Puncheon, Ward, Gayle (Zaha, 70), Chamakh (Campbell, 52), Bolasie (Murray, 83)

Subs not used: Hangeland, Hennessey, Williams, Bannan

Quotes from Neil Warnock: "It's come out of the blue. I know I was seventh choice but that doesn't bother me. It's a great club and it's nice to be able to put something back into it.

"The squad needs four and we're down the line with some of them. There's always someone comes available that you haven't thought about.

"They were poor goals to concede but the effort was tremendous. I've decided not to rush into the transfer market because they're a great bunch and I'm chuffed with the attitude of them. Tony [Pulis] must have done a great job because they've got a great attitude and determination and they can play a bit, too."

On Wilfried Zaha

"I said to him to smile a lot. He's not being playing much and if he enjoys himself he'll be a threat in this league."