Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman praised Wilfried Zaha for his second fantastic performance against Middlesbrough in a week but stressed football is a team game.

Zaha scored and claimed an assist in Palace’s 2-1 home win over Boro in the third round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night – three days after an impressive cameo off the bench in the league meeting on Saturday, when his pace and skill led to Joe Bennett’s dismissal.

“Zaha was fantastic,” said Freedman.

“I feel he is getting better every time he plays. He knows he is getting better through the hard work he is putting in during training.

“His dedication and his football at the moment is second to none. There are a lot of key factors in Wilfried getting better but I thought he was excellent.”

Freedman is pleased with the way his players worked hard as a unit to overcome a strong Middlesbrough side.

“I felt we were a good team,” he added.

“We worked hard as individuals for the team and I thought that saw us through the last 20 minutes of the game.

“It was difficult against a very good Middlesbrough team, who pass it and make you work but I thought we were up for that challenge.”

Freedman was delighted with the way players such as Alex Marrow and Anthony Gardner excelled after coming back from injury.

“The real big positives for me were the fact Gardner had his first game of the season and that Marrow, Stuart O’Keefe, Jon Williams – who are not getting a lot of football – produce the results for us when they are asked upon,” he said.

Striker Calvin Andrew scored his first goal for Palace since April 2010 to Freedman’s delight.

“Calvin does not score many goals because he doesn’t get many chances,” he said.

“He doesn’t play as often as he may like but when he does he puts in a great effort and he got a great goal.

“I thought he worked the line very well with Glenn Murray.

“Murray was exceptional as well at holding the ball up and there is a good partnership there.

“They were a threat, especially in the first-half, and as I say it resulted in a very good win for us.

“Calvin understands he needs to be patient and he needs to work hard in training.

“When called upon he has to produce the goods and to be fair he has done it this round.

“It is very encouraging for the team and the club that we have got a good squad.”