MX23RW : Thursday, December 27 10:08:41

Zaha deserves credit for earning penalties, says Palace boss Hodgson

Zaha deserves credit for earning penalties, says Palace boss Hodgson
© Reuters
Eagles boss says he would rewrite how statistics are gathered.

Roy Hodgson believes Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha deserves to be credited with an assist each time he wins a penalty that is then converted.

Hodgson believes Ivory Coast winger Zaha does not receive enough recognition for the penalties he wins.

Zaha has already earned two spot-kicks for Palace this term, with Serbia midfielder Luka Milivojevic converting both.

And former England boss Hodgson would like to see a scenario where Zaha's assist tally reflects him earning those penalties.

Asked if players should earn assists for winning successfully-converted penalties, Hodgson replied: "Now you're going to ask me how statistics are interpreted in this country; I would rewrite the whole thing.

"But that would be just one minor part I would rewrite.

"If you were fairer you'd give a lot of those goals, apportion them more in some ways to the forwards who have been fouled, rather than just to Luka who converts the penalty.

"I don't think Wilf gets enough credit for that, for the penalties he wins."

Defensive midfielder Milivojevic's fine long-range strike sealed Palace's scrappy 1-0 win over Leicester last weekend.

Now the Eagles face the daunting trip to take on Manchester City on Saturday, with Hodgson hailing Milivojevic's influence at Selhurst Park.

"We're really grateful to his ability on penalties, but he's chipped in really well elsewhere, especially free-kicks and the wonderful distance strike last Saturday," said Hodgson.

"We think he's a very, very good player, and we're lucky to have him."

Palace could have to do without Cheikhou Kouyate at the Etihad Stadium, with the ex-West Ham star having suffered a knock.

Martin Kelly has an adductor strain and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is still nursing a back spasm.


Click here for more stories about Roy Hodgson

Click here for more stories about Crystal Palace

Share this article now:
Fashion fiend Sergio Aguero shows up to watch the Premier League game between Manchester City and Bournemouth on December 1, 2018
Read Next:
Sergio Aguero record vs. Crystal Palace
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1916304373651
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs19150442182445
3Manchester CityMan City19142351153644
4Chelsea19124337162140
5Arsenal19115341251638
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd199553731632
7Leicester CityLeicester198472422228
8Everton197663129227
9Watford198382627-127
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves197572022-226
11Bournemouth198292733-626
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham187382527-224
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196492127-622
14Crystal Palace1954101725-819
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1945101426-1217
16Southampton183691933-1415
17Cardiff CityCardiff1943121838-2015
18Burnley1933131741-2412
19Fulham1925121743-2611
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield1924131234-2210

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account