Every word from Patrick Vieira’s press conference after Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw with Brentford – Eagles boss on a potential relegation battle and the late equaliser

Crystal Palace were denied their first win of 2023 after Vitaly Janelt’s 96th-minute equaliser cancelled out Eberechi Eze’s opener against Brentford.

Here is every word from Patrick Vieira’s post-match press conference at the Gtech Community Stadium:

An absolute gut punch at the end. How do you sum up your feelings after that?

“When you look at the game overall, both teams didn’t create very many chances.

“When you score that first goal and defend the way we did today, you expect to take those three points.

“But we knew that any time they had a chance to put the ball in the box, it was always going to be a danger.

“We managed those situations really well until the last minute of the game.”

Do you feel as though there were quite a lot of positives to take from the game?

“This is the frustration that I have at the moment. In a lot of games that we played lately, what we’re missing in those three points.

“The performances and organisation were good, but at the end, we’re missing something that allows us to take those three points.”

Do you think it was a collective mistake at the end, or was it individual?

“Collective. It was [about] decision-making when we had the ball and about how to regroup in the last minute of the game to not allow them to make those crosses.”

How do you pick the players up? It’s a good point because Brentford are on a very good run – but it feels different because of that late goal. How do you respond?

“We just have to analyse the game and give players feedback, like always.

“Tell them about how we defended well on the first contact from crosses and how we were well disciplined.

“The players who came on brought some energy – we saw Ebs come on and bring some quality going forward.

“When we are in that situation and leading, it’s important for us to make better decisions.”

Did you feel you could have perhaps doubled the lead and take it out of Brentford’s hands?

“We had situations where we didn’t make the right decision in the offensive transition. At the moment, we are a little bit unlucky, I would say.

“But it’s important for us to keep our heads up, keep working, and to try to turn things around.”

Still quite a bit gap between you and the bottom three at the moment. Some of the teams down there won today – and those two points dropped are massive. Are you worried slightly that you could get dragged into a relegation battle?

“I wasn’t worried before the game, and I’m not more worried after the game.

“The Premier League, when you look at the table, has been challenging and tough.

“It’s difficult. Until otherwise, we have to think about everything.

“Our main focus is about the way we perform and how we can improve.

“I was quite happy with the performances of the last couple of games we played.”

“We came here, looking at what they did in the last couple of games, and it’s a difficult place to come and get a result.

“The disappointment is there because we scored the first goal, and we conceded in the last minute of the game.

“That is the frustration. It showed as well that we need to improve, and there are still a lot of things to improve to turn those performances into a win.” 

You have played Brentford four times and drawn all four games. Why is it that these games always seem so tight? 

“It’s always tough and difficult. We competed and we know the level of competitiveness that we need to have when we play them.

“It’s a tough place to come. They have the physical attributes of the game, but they can play and find those players between the lines.

“We needed to be on our best for 95 minutes. We did enough today to take those three points.

“We were unlucky to concede that goal in the last minute. We still have work to do.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD