Roy Hodgson ‘confident’ of Crystal Palace’s Premier League safety despite late Chelsea defeat

Roy Hodgson is confident Crystal Palace can retain their Premier League safety despite their late 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea on Monday night.

The Eagles took the lead through Jefferson Lerma after the midfielder unleashed an effort from distance past Blues stopper Djordje Petrovic.

But two second-half goals from former Palace loanee Conor Gallagher and a late strike from Enzo Fernandez gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side all three points.

Palace are 15th in the Premier League and five points away from 18th-placed Everton, who they play next Monday.

He told BBC: ”We had our share of chances in the second half and they were not cutting through us. You know, with the quality of players they have, it is going to be a tough ask defensively, but I thought our players stood up and defended as well as they possibly could.

“I feel extremely sorry for them because to go home and sleep on that defeat is going to be very tough for everybody.

“The fans were very good throughout. They must be gutted because like me at 85 minutes I was not thinking we are going to lose this game. I thought we were at least coming away with a point.”

Asked if he is confident of keeping Palace in the Premier League Hodgson added: “I am confident we can do that. At the moment we are playing without three or four of our most experienced and quality players and they won’t be out until the end of the season.

“I am not concerned we are going to be relegated, and the way the players played tonight if you add the quality to that, I don’t think we need to be too concerned about relegation. We are not complacent about it but I believe in the team and players and believe they will pull us through.”