Ian Holloway: 'Wilfried Zaha is not a cheat'

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway has slammed referee Anthony Taylor for showing a yellow card to Wilfried Zaha for diving during their FA Cup clash on Tuesday.

The Championship outfit crashed out of the cup, after losing 4-1 to Stoke City after extra-time in their third-round replay at the Britannia Stadium.

Zaha, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Manchester United, was booked for going down in the penalty area in the first half; a decision that angered his boss.

"There is only one thing that saddens me - that the referee dishes out a yellow card to my player who actually beats someone and got caught," said Holloway.

"We had to bring him off [at half time] because his ankle was hurt - did he make that up as well?

"I don't think so, but Wilfried Zaha has been labelled a cheat."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was scheduled to attend that match, but did not show up.