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Analysing Wilfried Zaha’s Tottenham Hotspur audition for Crystal Palace

Wilfried Zaha of Palace crosses as Jan Vertonghen of Spurs tries to block during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Pal...
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The Crystal Palace winger put in a good performance in a losing cause to supposed admirers Tottenham Hotspur.

Wilfried Zaha of Palace crosses as Jan Vertonghen of Spurs tries to block during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on November 5,...

As The Guardian reports, Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has been a long-term Tottenham Hotspur target, and on Sunday he got a first-hand opportunity to impress his potential suitors.

The Eagles lost the London derby 1-0 thanks to a second-half strike from Son Heung-min.

That was after Zaha had missed an open goal which could have set up a shock Palace win.

Zaha has done much to dispell concerns over his end product over the last 18 months, scoring nine goals and contributing 11 assists in his last 35 Premier League appearances.

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on November 5, 2017 in London, England.

He did squander a golden chance at Wembley when he rounded Paulo Gazzaniga and shot wide of the empty net, but his performance showed glimpses of the inspiration that Spurs were lacking on the day.

The Ivorian international’s three key passes and seven attempted dribbles were more than any other player on the pitch as he led the Palace charge while Tottenham attacked tentatively in comparison.

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace and Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on...

Players like Christian Eriksen and Son, although he eventually made the crucial contribution, were content to be passive while Zaha created much more for an inferior Palace side who had less possession.

Spurs are continuing to have difficulty breaking lesser opposition down at Wembley and Zaha’s willingness to take on responsibility and try to make things happen should have impressed Mauricio Pochettino.

He won’t be allowed to leave rock-bottom Palace in January, which gives Spurs the opportunity to monitor his improving end product before deciding whether or not to launch a bid next summer.