NATHAN Ake admits Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha “dominated the game” against Cherries.
The winger had a hand in all five of Palace’s goals in their 5-3 win at Selhurst Park, ending the match with two assists to his name.
And Ake, who again filled in in central midfield against the Eagles, says the pace of the hosts was hard to deal with.
Discussing Zaha’s performance, the Dutchman told the Daily Echo: “Everyone knows how good he is, especially on Sunday.
“When we lose the ball, on the counter-attack he’s a dangerous threat.
“We knew that, but obviously you could see he dominated the game.”
He added: “I think the first half wasn’t good enough. We didn’t really get near them.
“We didn’t keep the ball as well. I think in the second half we had a good reaction.
“We tried to go for it but we just conceded too many goals again.
“For people outside it was an entertaining game, but for us we’re obviously not happy.”
Cherries ended the season with 56 goals scored and 70 conceded, the highest tally in either column since Eddie Howe’s men joined the top flight.
And Ake says the team must discover a middle ground.
“It’s finding that balance,” he said.
“I think sometimes we maybe want to go for it too much and leave ourselves open at the back.
“On Sunday we tried to control the ball and keep the ball in the second half and then we lost it and on the counter-attack we concede.
“Those kind of things we need to look at for sure.”
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