Is the EFL Cup a priority for Crystal Palace? Roy Hodgson answers that question

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson was asked whether the EFL Cup was a priority for his side after their 4-2 comeback win over Championship side Plymouth on Tuesday evening.

The Eagles found themselves two behind at Home Park due to goals from Ben Waine and Luke Cundle.

But a strike from Odsonne Edouard and a 22-minute hat-trick from Jean-Philippe Mateta booked Palace’s place in the next round.

The South Londoners were knocked out in the third round last season under Patrick Vieira following a defeat on penalties.

Hodgson made several changes to his line-up against Steven Schumacher’s side, with Chris Richards, James Tomkins, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Naouirou Ahamada all starting.

“I don’t know if it’s a priority,” said Hodgson.

“If it was a priority, we would have started with a team that was very similar to the one against Brentford.

“This wasn’t. It was only a couple of players who actually played against Brentford. I can’t sit here and honestly say it’s a priority, but we did want to win and progress.

“The team we started with was the best one to do that because players were hungry to show what they can do. For players who were waiting for an opportunity, here was a great chance in front of 15,000 people and a good team to show how good you are.

“We really wanted to win it – there is no doubt about that. But I would be shot down in flames by anyone who said: ‘If you were that keen to win it and it was that important to you, why didn’t you start with the team that has been playing in the league matches.’