‘Thoroughly deserved’ – Adam Wharton delighted for Crystal Palace team-mate after breaking Premier League goal wait

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Adam Wharton has praised Eddie Nketiah’s mindset after the Crystal Palace striker finally opened his Premier League goal account for the South Londoners, writes Andrew McSteen.

The former Arsenal frontman rounded off the scoring in Tuesday night’s 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa at Selhurst Park.

Nketiah signed for Palace in August in a £30million deal from the Gunners.

“I’m buzzing for him – it’s been a long time coming,” said midfielder Wharton.

“He’s not had the start that he would have wanted at Palace, but this is football.

“He’s not getting the minutes that he probably wants, so he’s working really hard in training.

“You can see that he’s got a top attitude and I’m delighted for him. He thoroughly deserved the goal and hopefully he can keep helping the team and getting more goals.”

Wharton was Palace’s man of the match in midweek but also took time out to praise his central midfield partner Will Hughes.

The 21-year-old said: “He’s great. He’s very underrated and I think people are starting to see how much of an influence he has on the team.

“Ever since I’ve come in, he’s been a vocal figure in the changing room, off the pitch, and especially on the pitch.

“He’s easy to play with, because he’s constantly speaking, and I feel like me and him just have that sort of connection where we know what we want to do and because we speak a lot off the pitch as well, I think that helps. It’s a pleasure to play with him.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD