Palace boss Roy Hodgson on impressive showings by Max Meyer, a point at Manchester United and his big frustration

Following Crystal Palace’s 0-0 draw at Manchester United, Roy Hodgson said he had always believed in his side’s ability to get results.

Palace have come through a difficult run of fixtures which included Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and now Manchester United, with two points, and Hodgson was pleased with his team’s performance at Old Trafford in particular.

“There aren’t many teams in our position in the second part of the league table who will come here to Old Trafford and win, I don’t think many will come and get a point in the way we have done today.

“I am certain that the Manchester United staff appreciated our performance and won’t begrudge us from our performance that we have got at least a point from the game.

“On another day, had fate been a bit kinder to us, and we had been more clinical in and around the box, especially with those two big chances that we had, who knows, we could have won it.”

Max Meyer was influential in earning the Eagles a point, and was at the heart of what they did well in attack, as well as contributing plenty defensively, and the former England chief was full of praise for the midfielder.

“I thought he was good last week, and he has been good in training. It was nice for him to play as well as he did, and he was one of many who had a good game.

“Of course with Max, he has been not feeling his way in, but he has been patient waiting for his chance to really grab hold of the shirt, and defy anyone to take the shirt from him.

“Today he must be delighted, it was a pretty faultless display from him, both attacking and defensively, and what he gives us of course is when we do get into those situations where we have good control and possession, he is capable of finding that last pass to create a goal chance.”

The Eagles boss says that he is frequently frustrated that his side have failed to win despite putting in what he says are good performances.

“That’s the constant lament. I get asked that question almost after every game. I certainly had it after drawing 2-2 with Arsenal and when we played Chelsea and everyone is telling me their second goal shouldn’t have been allowed, and then against Tottenham we played really well, and everyone said ‘you must be really gutted after that team performance’.

“At least today I have the satisfaction, after I thought the team played really well, I have the satisfaction of at least getting something from it.

“I have never lost confidence in the team, even during this run.

“Our defending has been really good for a period of time now.

“Where we have been let down is not that we haven’t been creating chances, or not had enough of the ball or situations in and round the other team’s penalty area, it is that we haven’t really been ruthless enough or clever enough to take those opportunities.

“Unfortunately that continued, because today was somewhat similar. But I think we are getting there. I think the constant preaching that we do to make the runs and to get their shot away, that is paying dividends. It is only a matter of time until the chances go in, rather than end up over the crossbar or wide of the post.”