Southampton 1 Crystal Palace 1: Zaha sent off as Ward-Prowse late show salvages point

Southampton, January 31: Wilfried Zaha received a late red card following an act of petulance as Southampton came from behind to draw 1-1 with fellow Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace.

Results | Points Table

Having ended his 17-game goalless drought to put Palace ahead in the first half, Zaha saw red for two bookings in quick succession in the 87th minute, when he reacted badly to a decision by Andre Marriner and sarcastically applauded the referee upon being booked.

James Ward-Prowse's third goal in as many league games had cancelled out Zaha's opener, with Mamadou Sakho missing two clear-cut chances either side of Southampton's 77th-minute equaliser.

Both sides now sit four points above the relegation zone, although Palace are set to lose their star man to suspension.

4 - Wilfried Zaha has scored more Premier League goals without netting at home than any other player this season. Travels. #SOUCRY pic.twitter.com/He6YAJUtE6

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 30, 2019

Southampton had the first chance – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg forcing a smart stop out of Vicente Guaita after sloppy play from Sakho.

Jack Stephens was fortunate that his rash challenge on Andros Townsend went unpunished soon after, but Southampton's luck ran out when Zaha lashed home from the edge of the box four minutes before the interval.

Sakho should have made sure of the result for Palace with 16 minutes remaining, but Jan Bednarek managed to clear off the line, and Southampton emphasised the value of that block when a flowing move ended with Ward-Prowse hammering home from Matt Targett's cut-back.

Southampton were let off the hook by Sakho once more in the 84th minute, the defender failing to put away a free header from a corner, and Palace's frustration boiled over with Zaha receiving his marching orders. He initially lashed out at Ward-Prowse after being angered at not receiving a free-kick, then reacted furiously when he was shown a yellow card and continued to applaud Marriner as he left the field.