Wilfried Zaha reckons referees assume he has dived before making a fair judgment, after the midfielder was booked for simulation during Crystal Palace’s victory over Newcastle United.

The caution was Zaha’s fifth yellow card of the season and means he will miss Palace’s next fixture at Everton on Monday.

And the former Manchester United player defended his actions, insisting he “slipped”.

“I’ve had quite a few penalties so obviously referees are on my case more now,” he said.

“Before I even said anything he thought, ‘Yeah, he dived’.

“I tried to cut inside and I slipped. It doesn’t matter.”

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Despite the concern over the former England U21 star’s burgeoning reputation, Zaha remains relaxed about the issue.

“Being worried or not worried, I don’t think it’s going to make a difference,” the 23-year-old said.

“I’m just going to carry on doing what I do.

“I don’t think about what the referee is trying to do, it’s none of my business.”

Zaha grabbed his second league goal of the season on Saturday and credited manager Alan Pardew for the side’s clinical finishing.

“Throughout the week the gaffer told us to take a second longer, to just make sure it’s on target and that’s what I tried to do,” he said.

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