Ivorian International Wilfried Zaha scored a wonderful 30 yard screamer but it wasn’t enough as Crystal Palace lost 2-3 to Chelsea in a pulsating match played on Tuesday evening at Selhurst Park.

Zaha fired in Palace’s opener into the net emphatically, launching home from a long way out after the visiting team had raced into a two nil lead with goals from Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic.

This was Zaha’s first goal since December 2019.

When Wilfried Zaha collected the ball in space near the centre circle, his adversaries naturally prepared for a mazy, jinking run.

Instead, they gazed on as the Ivorian launched a swerving shot into the Blues’ bulging net from distance.

Indeed, the effort was so eye-catchingly uncharacteristic that Zaha recorded his first Premier League goal from 30 yards or more, beating his next-furthest effort by 11 yards.

Tammy Abraham restored a two goal lead for Chelsea but a Benteke goal ensured a dramatic end to the match.Neither approach immediately paid dividends – though Giroud came inches away from a second – and so the game slowed down to a more lethargic tempo.