Crystal Palace 0-1 Southampton: Five things we learned from Roy Hodgson's first game as new boss takes different approach to sacked Frank De Boer

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Roy Hodgson's appointment failed to inspire Crystal Palace to their first point or even Premier League goal of the season on Saturday.

The former England manager, who replaced Frank De Boer earlier this week, began his reign as Eagles boss by overseeing a frustrating 1-0 home loss to Southampton.

Sportsmail's KIERAN GILL was at Selhurst Park and has made five key points about Hodgson's Palace bow and what the 70-year-old appears to have changed.

Roy Hodgson lost his first match as Crystal Palace manager 1-0 to Southampton on Saturday

Tough task ahead 

Well, at least Christian Benteke didn’t take any corners. We learned a few things about Hodgson here but one thing he himself learned was that this will be no simple task.

Hodgson is back in full-time day-to-day football for the first time since 2012. At the age of 70, and following a humiliating England exit, this won’t be easy.

He will leave Selhurst Park asking himself how his team did not score. The answer? Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

It will've left Hodgson in no doubt about the difficulty of keeping Palace in the Premier League

Loftus-Cheek lively but same can't be said of everyone

Those behind the scenes at Selhurst said the mood had been significantly lifted by the departure of Frank de Boer and the appointment of local lad Hodgson.

So did they work their socks off for him here? Some did, others didn’t. Hodgson handed Ruben Loftus-Cheek a start and the 21-year-old Chelsea loanee was lively throughout.

Joel Ward was among those who looked a liability here. Several times he was out of position and Andros Townsend had to provide cover for him. 

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was lively but not all of his Palace team-mates worked their socks off

Possession not a priority

Crystal Palace were happy to let Southampton have possession, particularly in the first half. The home side finished with having had 45 per cent of the ball.

Under De Boer, Palace had the most possession in their other two home ties (a 2-0 loss to Swansea and a 3-0 loss to Huddersfield), so this was a change.

With games against Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea to come in their next four fixtures, they best get used to not having the ball.

That’s why Hodgson has to drill into this lot the importance of keeping their shape.

Hodgson was much happier to let the opposition have the ball than predecessor Frank De Boer

Positionally fluidity but willing to go long

There was plenty of rotation from Hodgson. Sometimes Townsend was on the left wing, other times it was Jason Puncheon, and they finished the match with Bakary Sako in that position.

Balls across the box were frequent from Palace and they should have scored from at least two of them. Unfortunately for Hodgson, the finishing from Benteke and Co was off, while Forster was having one of those days.

P.S. Hodgson appears to have told his team not to be afraid to boot it long if necessary. While De Boer wanted it passed out from the back at all costs, Palace often opted for a long ball.

Palace played plenty of long direct passes to Christian Benteke, whose finishing was poor

Beware the boo boys

The atmosphere in the stands at Selhurst is usually among the best in the Premier League, though conceding in the sixth minute somewhat dampened the warm welcome for Hodgson.

Hodgson, who stayed sat down for the majority of the match rather than patrolling his technical area, was applauded as he walked out of the tunnel.

However, the mood changed in the 78th minute when he decided to substitute Loftus-Cheek. Indeed, the decision to take off their most dangerous player was greeted by boos.

Hodgson has work to do to convince his new fanbase he knows what he is doing.  

Hodgson was given a warm welcome before kick off but there were boos on 78 minutes