The focus so often fixes upon Wilfried Zaha at Crystal Palace but over their seven-game revival under Sam Allardyce, they have posed as much threat from the opposite flank. Andros Townsend had rather grumbled through his first seven months at Selhurst Park, unhappy to be operating from the left and only offering flashes of his quality. The past seven weeks have been more reflective of a winger with 13 England caps. “Against Arsenal, Andros shut down three Arsenal players on his own, one after the other,” Allardyce said. “He ran from the right side to the left, almost got a block, and the crowd cheered him for the effort. That’s how he’s changed his attitude, to believing in himself and performing to his very best. And that’s out of possession. In it, he’s running at defenders. He believes he can beat them inside, outside.” He, as much as anyone, has contributed to this team’s revival. England may not be finished with him just yet. Dominic Fifield
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