Roy Hodgson praised goal scorer Connor Wickham and goalkeeper Julian Speroni for their contribution in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 FA Cup fourth round win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Wickham’s first goal in 799 days opened the scoring before Andros Townsend sealed the tie from the spot while Speroni made a string of saves on his way to breaking the clean sheet record for the club.
“All round it’s been a good day, you get these days from time to time in football!” beamed Hodgson.
“It’s incredible and a real credit to him (Wickham).”
“To fight his way back to starting a game after all that time and crown it with a goal is a piece of good news for the football club and the fans.
“I believe and hope that he can make an impact this season but I don’t want to put an awful amount of pressure on him, the fact is he’s worked hard to get where he is.
“I don’t want to say anything that can be reported as remotely negative but it has been two and a quarter years, so coming back and playing 70 odd minutes and getting a goal, it can’t get much better for you."
Hodgson did however have some advice for the forward.
“But if you believe that’s it now, it’s going to be just like it was four or five years ago when I was in my prime, I think that’s too much to ask.
“He’s got to keep training every day.”
READ: Player ratings from Palace's 2-0 victory over Tottenham
Speaking of Speroni who made an incredible double save from Georges-Kevin N’Koudou just before the break, Hodgson was equally delighted.
“To brake the clean sheets record with 112 in 400 odd appearances is fantastic, especially after last week where he had to shoulder some of the blame for the goals we conceded at Anfield.
“To come back and do what he did today is a great news story.
“Today we can leave Selhurst park with a smile on our face and see who awaits us in the fifth round of the fa cup.”
The fifth-round draw will take place on Monday at 7pm.
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