“If fans were here they’d have gone home unbelievably disappointed” – Palace boss Roy Hodgson

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is looking forward to welcoming 2,000 fans to Selhurst Park next time out after government restrictions were relaxed this week – but was relieved no home fans were in attendance last night as the Eagles went down 2-0 to Newcastle United.

“I’ve got to be honest with you, I think today I’m rather happy that they aren’t there,” said Hodgson about the last time of playing at an empty Selhurst Park for the foreseeable future.

“I am certain they don’t want to be leaving for home – after having not seen any matches for a long time and coming here with high hopes and high expectations – and we would have sent them home unbelievably disappointed.

“I can’t honestly say that tonight I feel that we’ve missed them because I know that we will have disappointed them so much.”

West Bromwich Albion is next for the Eagles on Sunday, but with the Midlands-based club in England in a tier three region, it means no fans will be in attendance.

London is in tier two and that means up to 2,000 Palace fans will be allowed in against Tottenham Hotspur on December 13.

“I’m hoping the next game, against Spurs, who are one of the top teams in the country, they will be here, those 2,000,” he said. “And we will be able to give them a performance that will send them home happy.”