Wilfried Zaha has been named Crystal Palace Player of the Year for 2015/16 at the club’s Awards Night.
The winger beat off competition from Players’ Player of the Year Scott Dann, Yohan Cabaye, Connor Wickham, Yannick Bolasie and James McArthur to scoop the trophy for the first time in his Palace career and add his name to the illustrious list of club legends who have also won the honour.
Having previously been named Young Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012, Zaha won the night’s top prize, which was voted for by Palace season ticket holders and members, as well as being named the Vice Presidents’ Player of the Year at the annual ceremony at the Odeon in Leicester Square.
It’s been a fine season for the Croydon-born winger who has played 42 times in all competitions this term and scored five goals, as well as laying on seven more for teammates. He scored the winner in both the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup victories against Southampton and Stoke City, paving the way to the final which will be against his former club Manchester United next week.
2015/16 started well for 23-year-old when he notched Palace’s first goal of the season in acrobatic style against Norwich City on the opening day, and his quick feet and dazzling skills were soon being put to good use on a regular basis as in late September he repeated his 2013 Championship play-off heroics to win a penalty against Watford which Yohan Cabaye converted to give the Eagles a big early season win.
After also scoring in the 5-1 romp against Newcastle United in November, Zaha’s goals helped Palace negotiate the early rounds of the FA Cup, and he has played every minute available in the competition so far.
The academy graduate has also been a frequent provider of goals for Alan Pardew’s men, and has easily surpassed his previous best of three Premier League assists which came last season. January also brought up another big milestone for the attacker when he played in his 200th game for the club during his two spells with the Eagles.