EPL: Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace

Wilfried Zaha has picked up four bookings for simulation in the Premier League since the start of 2015/16, more than any other player

Wilfried Zaha saw two penalty claims turned down as Watford and Crystal Palace edged towards Premier League safety after playing out an eventful 0-0 on Saturday.

The Palace forward was booked for simulation following the second penalty shout, having gone down under pressure from Adrian Mariappa (63).

Meanwhile, the woodwork was struck three times at Vicarage Road, with Watford striker Stefano Okaka heading against the bar before Palace duo Luka Milivojevic and James Tomkins suffered similar misfortune after the break.

 

The point lifts Palace into 15th, six points clear of 18th-placed Southampton who have a game in hand, while Watford move onto 38 points - nine clear of the drop zone.

Watford were dominant in the first half, and almost took the lead after four minutes when Okaka's header cannoned off the crossbar following Troy Deeney's cross.

 

The hosts almost went ahead in fortuitous circumstances, but goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey got down well to keep out a poor Deeney attempt which ricocheted off Joel Ward and headed towards goal.

 

A quiet half from Palace ended with calls for a penalty, but referee Chris Kavanagh waved away the claims after Zaha went down after tangling with Christian Kabasele - an already-booked Abdoulaye Doucoure made his feelings clear when rushing over to confront the forward.

 

After the break, Milivojevic's free-kick from a narrow angle hit the post, but attention soon turned to a contentious decision down the other end.

It came as Zaha - who was fouled five times in the match - was grounded from Mariappa's attempted tackle. Kavanagh opted to book the Ivorian, though replays suggested there was a touch from the Watford defender.

 

A fierce affair rumbled on, with James Tomkins heading against the post for Palace before a late flurry of cards saw the match end with eight bookings - Ward perhaps the most fortunate to escape a second yellow following a poor challenge on Jose Holebas.