Jason Puncheon did not have a problem with West Brom’s tactics
Crystal Palace’s game with West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League Trophy in Hong Kong threatened to boil over on occasions.
It was a pre-season friendly, but at times the contest was anything but friendly, with Wilfried Zaha, as he often does, finding himself targeted by some over-zealous tackling.
Claudio Yacob, on early for the injured Jonny Evans, was booked, got involved in some hadnbags with Luka Milivojevic twice and was lucky not to see red.
Eagles skipper Jason Puncheon had no qualms with the tactics employed by West Brom and former Palace boss Tony Pulis.
He said: “Tony’s teams are always physical, that wasn’t surprising. I think it was good for us, competitive.”
On the issue of Zaha, who was clearly displeased with his treatment on the pitch, Puincheon knows he has a job to do, as captain, to ensure the Palace star does not get overheated.
He added: “People target him, we know that he’s a fantastic player and at times he’s going to get upset, but that’s for me as captain to keep an eye on. Wilf’s a young boy, game after game he’s getting better, he’s got that tenacity about him, we like that from him.”