Crystal Palace legend Wilfried Zaha is at the peak of his powers.
Zaha scored a career-high 14 goals in the Premier League last term and looks to be in personal record territory once again this campaign.
The 29-year-old scored a stunning goal from outside the box in Palace’s 1-1 draw against Brentford on Tuesday to extend his tally to four goals in as many games.
The Ivorian has long been Palace’s key man, either side of his brief spells at Manchester United and Cardiff City respectively. He has stayed loyal to the Eagles despite interest from other parties throughout his stay at Selhurst Park and could still deliver his best season yet.
Zaha has been far more direct in comparison to previous seasons – averaging 1.54 shots per game, which is 0.89 more than his average in his last eight campaigns.
He has also exceeded his expected goals rate in each of his last two seasons and is on course to do the same again this season. Zaha has been forecast to score 0.66 goals per game this term but is currently averaging more than a goal a game (1.03).
Despite Zaha's undoubted quality, there was always a sense that he should be more productive in the final third, especially in his first two seasons with the Eagles in the top-flight.
Zaha scored just six times in 2014/15 (four) and 2015/16 (two) and netted more than double that tally (seven) during the 2016/17 campaign.
His figures have improved season after season since 2017, bar his disappointing four-goal return in 2018/19, with Zaha hitting double figures in the Premier League in 2018/19 (10) and 2020/21 (11).
But his form since the beginning of last season has been better than anything that Zaha has ever previously produced.
He averaged just under a goal every other game (0.46) in 2021/22 and although his goal scoring rate will inevitably drop off, the Palace forward is currently registering the best figures of his career.
Although Zaha has been in free-scoring form, the Magpies will be hoping to keep Zaha out for the tenth successive game. Zaha has scored twice against Newcastle but last found the net against them in a 5-1 victory for the Eagles in November 2015.
Newcastle have won three of their last six meetings against the Eagles and will be looking to get back to winning ways after Liverpool forward Fabio Carvalho's 98th minute winner at Anfield ended their unbeaten start to the season.
The Magpies also return to St James' Park after three straight games on the road across all competitions. United have been almost flawless on home turf - losing just one of their last 12 games in the Premier League in front of the Newcastle faithful (W8 D3).
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