Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew was delighted with matchwinner Wilfried Zaha after victory at Middlesbrough.

Pardew believes keeping Wilfried Zaha at Crystal Palace after Tottenham launched a late bid to sign him could prove crucial to their season.

Asked how important that decision was, manager Pardew replied: "Of course, that was very important. The chairman made that very, very clear, that he wasn't going to sell him, and I think he meant it, as he proved, so it was important.

"He didn't start the last game because of the transfer situation, but he was terrific today, not just the goal and the assist, which I have been really working with him on, but his defensive qualities today against George Friend, who bombs up and down that line, were exceptional."