Ghana striker Jordan Ayew has thanked Patrick Vieira after scoring Crystal Palace’s equaliser against Southampton to end his goal drought after thirteen months.
Ayew netted after 65 minutes to secure Palace a point, striking home from a tight angle
after a sustained spell of pressure.
He said he was pleased to score for others, but particularly for Vieira.
“It’s a relief I think,” he told the BBC after the game “I knew it would come at some point because I’ve been working really hard for [a long] time. I was happy for myself personally – for my confidence it is important – for my family, friends, people who have been supportive and especially the manager, who has been really supportive.
Since the first day the manager came in he told me he has big faith in me and belief in me and I should keep on working hard and it will come. It may take long but at some point it will pay off and today it paid off. We’re all glad… Today there were negatives and positives but I think it was a good result
Continuing to focus on the goal, Ayew said he has experienced some misfortune at times but today felt luck was on his side.
“I hope [I continue to score], I hope so. But the most important thing for me is to make sure I work hard for the team.”