Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha said he was “lost for words” after Yoane Wissa cancelled out the Ivorian’s sensational second-half strike to deny the Eagles victory at home to Brentford.

Fit-again Zaha had given Palace the lead with a sumptuous effort into the far corner after collecting a Cheick Doucoure pass on the edge of the penalty area.

“Just one lapse in concentration ruins all the hard work,” he told BT Sport.

“We literally just had to keep it tight. As soon as we went into the lead, we just started to defend. I don’t see why we do that.

“If we’d just continued to press on, I feel like we could have got a second and ended the game. We just killed ourselves in the end.”

Zaha was twice denied in the first half by Brentford defender Aaron Hickey, who produced two crucial blocks inside the area to prevent the Eagles talisman from putting the hosts ahead.

Michael Olise also fired a low effort against the outside of the post early in the second period with the score still goalless.

But after Wissa’s late leveller, defender Ben Mee almost snatched all three points for Brentford in stoppage time, only to see his header come back off the crossbar.

Palace denied again

For the second game running, Patrick Vieira and his players were left to rue what might have been after letting a narrow lead slip through their grasp late on at Selhurst Park.

Palace were unfortunate to leave the Etihad Stadium empty handed after surrendering a 2-0 advantage at Manchester City on Saturday. Once Zaha had opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the season – and sixth in seven home league games – they appeared to be heading towards a second league win of the campaign.

Olise was unfortunate to see his effort hit the frame of the goal, while Brentford’s first strike on target – a Josh Dasilva shot easily held by Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita – came with just 20 minutes remaining.

But the Bees kept pushing and snatched an equaliser when Wissa – left completely unmarked in the Palace box – beat Guaita with a firm, well-placed header from Janelt’s fine delivery.

Thomas Frank’s side then very nearly claimed an unlikely victory as Rico Henry was thwarted by Guaita, before Mee’s header thudded against the woodwork.

Palace brought in four players – Doucoure, Sam Johnstone, Malcom Ebiowei, and Chris Richards – this summer but Vieira, who took charge of Palace for the 50th time on Tuesday night, says they need more signings before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

The Frenchman, though, has refused to comment on rumours Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is set to re-join the club following his successful loan spell at Selhurst Park last term.

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