Zaha denied penalty shouts as Watford and Palace share point

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Crystal Palace - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 21, 2018 Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha clashes with Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure as Christian Kabasele intervenes REUTERS/Darren Staples

April 21 (Reuters) - - WATFORD 0 CRYSTAL PALACE 0

Watford and Crystal Palace continued to inch towards Premier League safety after a scrappy goalless draw at Vicarage Road on Saturday that means the home side have taken just two points from a possible 18.

Wilfried Zaha always looked the most likely to break the deadlock, with Watford struggling to control his trickery by whatever means possible.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Crystal Palace - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 21, 2018 Watford's Adrian Mariappa in action with Crystal Palace's Ruben Loftus-Cheek REUTERS/Darren Staples

The Palace winger repeatedly drew challenges from an increasingly desperate defence and twice had penalty appeals turned down, one of which led to a booking for simulation.

Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure was so incensed by his behaviour that he was also yellow carded for pushing Zaha after one appeal. With his name already in the referee's notebook, Doucoure could easily have been dismissed.

Although neither side really deserved to win, Palace hit the post twice and Watford once. The home side started with a greater sense of purpose and almost went in front when Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey had to be at his sharpest to prevent an own goal from Joel Ward.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Crystal Palace - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 21, 2018 Watford's Craig Cathcart shoots at goal REUTERS/Darren Staples

The second half, though, largely belonged to the visitors as Zaha became increasingly influential and Luka Milivojevic was unlucky not to break the deadlock in the second half.

In the end, there were no goals but plenty of bookings with referee Chris Kavanagh issuing eight cards.

Watford defender Adrian Mariappa said: "It was a tough game. We take the point and the clean sheet. They've got a lot of good players and it's down to us to keep them quiet.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Crystal Palace - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 21, 2018 Crystal Palace's James Tomkins reacts REUTERS/Darren Staples

"It's a massive clean sheet for us. Everyone from top to bottom put in a real shift today. We’re fully focused on the rest of the games and it's a good opportunity to pick up some points."

The win leaves Palace six points clear of relegation with Watford three points and places above them in 12th.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Crystal Palace - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 21, 2018 Watford's Stefano Okaka in action with Crystal Palace's James Tomkins REUTERS/Darren Staples

(Corrects lead and bullet point to say Watford have taken two points from possible 18, not 21)

(Reporting by Neil Robinson; Editing by Clare Fallon)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Crystal Palace - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 21, 2018 Crystal Palace's Wayne Hennessey punches clear of Watford's Troy Deeney Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Crystal Palace - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 21, 2018 Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha clashes with Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure as Christian Kabasele intervenes Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Crystal Palace - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 21, 2018 Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha is shown a yellow card by referee Chris Kavanagh for simulation Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Crystal Palace - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 21, 2018 Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke in action with Watford's Craig Cathcart Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Crystal Palace - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 21, 2018 Crystal Palace's Andros Townsend applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Darren Staples