Patrick Vieira provides honest assessment of Crystal Palace’s 2-1 loss at Leicester City

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira admitted that his side were second best in their 2-1 loss away to Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.

There were a handful of chances for either side in the opening stages at the King Power – Paston Daka and Ademola Lookman dragging shots wide for the hosts. 

Shortly after, Wilfried Zaha sliced his attempt beyond Kasper Schmeichel’s post, and Jean-Philippe Mateta also missed the target when bearing down on goal.

The Foxes eventually took the lead in the 38th minute when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall played a perfectly weighted ball through to Wandsworth-born Lookman to slot the ball past Vicente Guaita. It was the first goal that the Eagles had conceded since the 2-1 FA Cup win against Stoke City in early March.

Brendan Rodgers’ side swiftly doubled their lead when Daka capitalised on Marc Guehi’s mistake to pick out Dewsbury-Hall on the edge of the box, and he curled a stunning shot into the top left-hand corner.

Palace pulled one back when Wilfried Zaha saw two of his penalties saved by Schmeichel, but the Ivorian managed to head home the rebound at the second time of asking.

But the Eagles could not find the equaliser and ended a run of seven games in all competitions without defeat.

“The performance, especially in the first half, Leicester were the better team – they started the game with better intention,” said Vieira. 

“Their pressing was really high, and it was impossible for us to play. We didn’t play quick enough. We didn’t play forward enough, and we didn’t take enough risks to find our midfield three. 

“In the first half, we didn’t compete well enough. They were the better team – they were more aggressive. 

“In the second half, we started quite well. We created a couple of situations and chances, but it was too much for us to climb.

“We are not too low [about the result]. We weren’t too high against Arsenal, so it’s important to find consistency game after game which will allow us to be better and wins matches.

“We’ve come a long way since the first game of the season, and we’re in a better place, but there’s still a lot to learn. That will come with time.

“It’s experience, players playing together and putting the standard higher about what we want to achieve every week. 

“When you build a team, you have to go through those periods. It’s important for us to be consistent emotionally. There are a lot of details to improve, but they will come with time.”