Garth Crooks has lauded Wilfried Zaha in his Team of the Week column for BBC Sport for performing at his best against Tottenham Hotspur, while Japhet Tanganga chased ghosts.
The Eagles stormed to a 3-0 win at home to Spurs on Saturday for their first victory under Patrick Vieira. The result also ended Nuno Espirito Santo’s 100% start in north London after three-straight 1-0 wins to open his tenure.
Tanganga aided Crystal Palace’s efforts with a mindless sending off early in the second-half before Zaha’s side stormed to victory. Referee Jonathan Moss showed both yellow cards after the Ivorian reacted angrily to Tanganga taking him out at full flight.
But while Zaha kept his cool, Tanganga lost his and gave Moss no choice but to issue a second yellow. Within two minutes of clashing with the Eagles forward, Tanganga lunged on Jordan Ayew with a mistimed tackle. On a day Crooks claims he was chasing ghosts.
“The first thing I want to say about this game is well done referee Jonathan Moss,” Crooks wrote. “Last season, both Japhet Tanganga and Wilfried Zaha would have been sent off for their unseemly display of petulance.
“However, that’s all it was. What came later was sheer madness. To see Tanganga go to ground chasing lost causes two minutes after the previous incident deserved a sending-off.
“Palace wouldn’t have won this game if Spurs had kept 11 players on the pitch, but Tanganga lost his composure and his discipline. Zaha, on the other hand, kept his. His penalty was well taken and his assist for Odsonne Edouard was Zaha at his best. Great first win for manager Patrick Vieira. I was starting to get a little concerned.”
Tottenham’s Tanganga ruins early-season run after Crystal Palace incident Crooks slams
Tanganga had enjoyed a strong early-season run after securing a regular role in Nuno’s first Tottenham defence, before his moments of madness at Crystal Palace that Crooks slams.
While featuring at right-back against Manchester City, Wolves and Watford, the 22-year-old battled hard and got forward well repeatedly. He particularly impressed against Adama Traore, as he tussled with the Spaniard throughout last month’s encounter.
But in a central role against Crystal Palace, Tanganga lost his composure, as Crooks notes of the Tottenham talent. He produced a cynical foul on Zaha that was always likely to spark a reaction from the attacker. And could not keep his head clear when he lunged in on Ayew in a non-threatening area. Putting Spurs on the backfoot as they lost their first of the term.
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