ALAN Pardew described Wilfried Zaha's performance in the final 20 minutes of Saturday's victory against Spurs as "electrifying."
The 22-year-old came on as a substitute for Glenn Murray in the final quarter of the game and it was his moment of quality, as he beat two Spurs defenders; that set up Jason Puncheon to score the winner.
Adlene Guedioura was also introduced at the start of the second half, making his first Premier League appearance since his return from a successful loan spell at Watford.
Pardew said: "I felt that we needed a bit more maverick behaviour in the team and that was the reason for the sub at half time.
"That helped us and then Wilfried came on and gave me exactly the reaction I was looking for.
"I left him out because I wanted to see, if I'm honest, what his reaction would be like. This is a boy who I thinks confidence needs to be really rekindled and that will do him no harm from today.
"That 20 minutes was electrifying for us both. But more for him really because for me on the side-lines it's not too difficult; shout out a few orders – but it's the players who've got to play and I thought they were terrific today."
With Yannick Bolasie away on international duty this month, Zaha will be hoping for a lot of similar performances that will impress the new man in charge and boost his chances of starting when the Congolese star returns.
