Luka Milivojevic admitted “it was hard to sleep” after his stoppage time penalty miss against Manchester City.

The Crystal Palace midfielder blew the chance to send City tumbling to their first league defeat of the season on New Years Eve when his spot-kick was saved.

Milivojevic bounced back from that by scoring a dramatic late winner against Southampton on Tuesday and said: “It was very hard to be honest. It is hard to sleep after that. I felt in my body very bad. But no excuses.”

Milivojevic thanked manager Roy Hodgson, his teammates and Palace fans for backing him after he fluffed his lines against City.

Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic bounced back with the winner against Southampton (
Image:
Charlie Crowhurst)
Milivojevic thanks his manager Roy Hodgson and team-mates for the support they showed him (
Image:
Charlie Crowhurst)

“They gave me support. I have to thank them. No one said nothing negative. I scored five in a row. I missed one and that happened only because I changed my decision.

“I did not feel big pressure. It was the last minute but [I missed] just because I changed my mind. In the end I wanted to shoot in the middle but I shot bad. OK, if now I score five in a row it would be nice.

“I have to say a big thanks to the fans. After the game against City when I missed the penalty they were signing my name and gave me enormous support.

“I am very pleased with our connection. I have to say thanks to them for their support.”

Milivojevic admitted he had lost sleep after his last-minute penalty was saved against Manchester City on New Year's Eve (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

Palace’s second-half fightback against Southampton lifted Hodgson’s side up to 14th and maintained their impressive form under the former England manager.

Milivojevic said: “Two defeats in 14 and we did not deserve to lose against Tottenham. The gaffer put players in the right positions, we train hard in training and try to improve.

“We have good shape, good organisation and three quality players in front of that. That is what is working and we have to continue like that.”

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