‘I can’t praise them enough’ – Roy Hodgson delivers verdict as Crystal Palace fight back to claim point at Man City

Roy Hodgson hailed his Crystal Palace side after they fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles found themselves 2-0 down after goals from Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis.

Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back for Hodgson’s side in the 76th minute before winning a penalty in second-half added time, which Michael Olise cooly converted past Ederson.

Palace were without several key players – Odsonne Edouard, Jefferson Lerma and Sam Johnstone – due to injury.

“I was really pleased with the team from the first minute to the last,” said Hodgson.

“I thought the way the players stuck at the game plan and tried to make it work and to cause Man City a few more problems in terms of creating goal chances, but it wasn’t just a question of resilience, it’s a question of spirit and determination as well.

“If we had wanted excuses for a defeat today, we had loads and loads of them.

“It’s all very well saying we have seven players injured, but when five of them are your regular players in attacking positions, you have even more reason to say: ‘Well done today boys.’

“People playing in that game had no Premier League experience at all. We had a bench of academy players and no real seniors to put on to help us out. 

“It was excellent work from the players today – I can’t praise them enough.”

The Eagles host rivals Brighton on Thursday at Selhurst Park.

“We can take one thing into it,” added Hodgson.

“We know that it doesn’t matter if the team we’re playing against on paper is regarded as a stronger team, we know that we can get out there and make a good show and game of it.

“I don’t think we will see the best of Crystal Palace until get players back from injury and we can start to field what we think is our best 11 – that’s a way off.

“The fight will have to continue until then. It’s good to know you have that fight in your team.”