Patrick Vieira hits back at Leeds' Kalvin Phillips over Zaha comments

Updated: July 22, 2022 at 12:37 am GMT+1

Patrick Vieira has, on Friday, provided his take on a recent jibe aimed in the direction of Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha by Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips.

Palace and Leeds, of course, went head-to-head earlier this week.

90 minutes badly lacking in end product ultimately played out into a 0-0 stalemate at Selhurst Park, but the drama missing from the action itself was more than made up for post-match.

This came as Kalvin Phillips made use of a discussion with BBC 5 Live Sport to take aim at Palace wide-man Wilfried Zaha, for what he evidently deemed persistent simulation on the part of the Ivorian:

"The ref complained at us for fouling him but I think he dives a lot to be honest with you."

Watford v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Second Round WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Wilfried Zaha is challenged by Oghenekaro Etebo during the Carabao Cup second round match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road Stadium on August 24, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Speaking in a press conference ahead of his side's return to action this weekend, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of Phillips' comments was put to Palace boss Patrick Vieira.

And the Frenchman was not shy in hitting back, revealing his opinion that Phillips and the rest of Leeds' stars had a 'clear plan' in place to 'target' Zaha throughout the 90 minutes:

Patrick Vieira on Kalvin Phillips' comments on diving:

"It’s a very strange comment. You can all see the game & watch it again. Some of them were lucky not to get a yellow card.

"Their plan was clear, to target Wilfried and he remained calm and concentrated on his game" #CPFC
— Matt Woosnam (@MattWoosie) April 29, 2022

Saints test

Turning attentions back towards the road ahead, Crystal Palace will of course be back in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon.

On the back of a quartet of successive outings with victory across all competitions, the capital outfit are set to make the trip to St. Mary's, eyeing a return to winning ways up against Ralph Hasenhuttl's Southampton.

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Conor Laird

Die-hard Juventus fan with a love for all things Italian, and a real soft spot for Arsenal cult heroes. Emmanuel Eboue, Nicklas Bendtner, Philippe Senderos... Give them all statues outside the Emirates.