Gary Rowett disappointed with defending for Crystal Palace goals – as Millwall bow out of FA Cup
Gary Rowett was unhappy with Millwall’s defending in the early stages of the second half – feeling both of Crystal Palace’s goals were avoidable.
The Eagles trailed at the interval after Benik Afobe pounced, punishing Eagles keeper Jack Butland after he was caught in possession.
But Michael Olise curled a left-footed leveller soon after the restart. And the summer signing from Reading then produced the assist for Jean-Philippe Mateta to head past George Long from close range.
Rowett said: “We acquitted ourselves pretty well for the vast majority of the game. We started the first half really well. You know with the atmosphere at The Den it was all about trying to make it an aggressive and quick start. We did that quite well.
“We scored a good goal. We worked a little bit when we could get higher up the pitch and put a bit of pressure on. Jack Butland takes a little bit of time on the ball, we manage to pinch it off him.
“We looked fine first half, really pleased. What you can’t do against a Premier League side, or any side, is start like that. We can’t allow Olise time on the ball. I think there is an offside in the build up as the ball gors up to the striker – Mateta is just offside – but you can’t allow Olise to come inside the pitch. He is left-footed, you’ve got to force him outside. It was a poor goal to concede.
“After that we conceded another poor goal when Olise comes inside, chips the ball in – we’ve got two players in there against their two and we allow a free header.
“I was pleased with the response after and it was just whether we could get that second goal.
“Palace went strong and brought on Edouard and Benteke you know it is a game you’ve got to maintain it for 90 minutes. You can’t drop your guard and make mistakes – they have got players who can punish them.
“That 10-15 minute spell – yes, they upped their game. They attacked with a little bit more intensity. But I’d expect us to be able to maintain that in the 46th, 47th minute – if it happens in the 80th minute when we’re a little bit fatigued then I can half accept that. To make those mistakes so early in the second half is a little bit disappointing, it took the shine off a pretty good performance overall.”