Crystal Palace v Everton: Zaha on bench for Eagles as none of their new signings start Premier League opener
BY SAM SMITH
Wilfried Zaha has been named as a substitute for Crystal Palace’s opening Premier League game against Everton.
Roy Hodgson has named an unchanged starting 11 from the 4-0 friendly defeat to Hertha Berlin last weekend.
It means Jordan Ayew partners Christian Benteke up front in a 4-4-2, while Max Meyer earns a start after an excellent pre-season.
Zaha, who was the subject of a bid by the Toffees and handed in a transfer request on Wednesday, is in a matchday squad for the first time since the final game of last season having not featured in any of the Eagles’ friendlies.
Palace’s three new outfield signings – James McCarthy, Gary Cahill and Victor Camarasa are also in reserve should Hodgson turn to them.
Palace (4-4-2): Guaita, Ward, Dann, Kelly, Van Aanholt, Townsend, Milivojevic, McArthur, Meyer, Ayew, Benteke. Subs: Hennessey, Kouyate, Zaha, Wickham, McCarthy, Camarasa, Cahill.
Everton: Pickford, Keane, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Sigurdsson, Digne, Mina, Schneiderlin, Bernard, Gomes, Coleman. Subs: Lossl, Holgate, Walcott, Tosun, Gbamin, Davies, Kean.
