Zeki Fryers savouring new Eagles opportunities

Crystal Palace defender Zeki Fryers is relishing his newfound opportunities after helping Alan Pardew’s men claim a last-gasp win at Sunderland.

Fryers came on as a 74th minute substitute as Crystal Palace produced the unlikeliest of comebacks to battle back from two goals down before winning it in stoppage time through Christian Benteke’s last-minute header.

Jermain Defoe had earlier put Sunderland in charge with two well-taken goals but Joe Ledley pulled one back with a deflected shot before James McArthur’s header brought Palace level.

And Fryers, who has spent time on loan at Rotherham and Ipswich recently, is relishing his involvement in the Palace first team and is hoping for more opportunities soon after his latest contribution.

“It is a great feeling and I am buzzing for the team,” he said.

(Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

“The instruction was to get forward and get some crosses in and my first opportunity I was able to get past the man and get the cross into the box and of course we scored our second goal from that.

“Looking back I have been out on loan quite a bit, had some bad luck with injuries but then this opportunity came along and I was pleased with how I did.

“When you don’t get the break you have to just keep your head down, work hard and wait for your opportunity to help the team so I was pleased to get the chance.

“After pre-season it was looking good for me as I had some games, played OK but then a groin injury came at the wrong time, I got back from injury and kept at it and delighted that I was called upon in this one and it’s a great result for the team.”