Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has criticised Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips after accusing winger Wilfried Zaha of diving.
Palace and Leeds played out a goalless stalemate at Selhurst Park on Monday night with both sides currently sat 12th and 17th respectively in the Premier League table, although both sides should be clear enough of the relegation zone to not have to worry about being dragged into a battle for safety.
After that goal, Leeds midfielder and England international told BBC 5 Live Sport that Zaha “dives a lot” - having been fouled four times in the draw, twice the amount of any other player in the game.
Following Phillips’ comments, Vieira was quick to support his player and criticised the England man. "It’s a strange comment,” said Vieira. “I think that game you can all see. Some of them were lucky not to get a yellow. Their plan was clear - to target Wilfried."
Since that game, Palace have again been in action in the Premier League, taking on Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon. Palace came from behind to seal a late victory over Saints.
Palace found themselves behind early in the game when Champions League winner Oriol Romeu opened the scoring inside the opening ten minutes for the hosts. Palace equalised on the hour mark when Eberechi Eze got his first goal since May 2021 after a lengthy lay-off through injury. Zaha then come off the bench to score in stoppage time and clinch three points for the Eagles.
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The Eagles play host to Watford when they return to action in a week’s time in the first of their final four games of the season, with the Hornets likely to have their expected relegation confirmed next month.
Vieira’s side’s final three games of the campaign see them travel to face Aston Villa and Everton on the road before hosting Manchester United in London on the final day of the Premier League season.
With Palace in 12th , they have had a good first season in the Vieira era since he replaced Roy Hodgson. They are the only team outside the top eight with a positive goal difference and, although almost half of their league games have ended in draws, they have lost just 11 matches in the Premier League this term.
Only Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United have lost fewer games in the league than Palace this season. Vieira, an Arsenal legend, won three Premier League titles, four Serie A titles and was part of the France side that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup as a player.
Outside of the Premier League, Palace also reached the FA Cup semi-finals before losing to London rivals Chelsea earlier this month. It was the first time Palace had got that far in the competitions since they reached the final in 2016.
Leeds United's final fixtures of the campaign come against Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford.
