Roy Hodgson believes Crystal Palace are 'building momentum' in bid to climb out of drop zone after battling draw against their rivals Brighton

  • Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson was content to pick up a point against Brighton
  • Premier League's basement club ended a run of eight successive away defeats
  • Christian Benteke made his first start since September following a knee injury 

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson was content to pick up a point in a 0-0 draw at bitter rivals Brighton but feels his struggling side have more to offer.

The bottom-of-the-table Eagles ended a run of eight successive Premier League away defeats dating back to April last season at a sold-out Amex Stadium, although they remain without a goal on the road during that period.


Christian Benteke, making his first start since September following a knee injury, and Wilfried Zaha were denied by a fantastic first-half double save from Albion goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

Crystal Palace were content to pick up a point in a 0-0 draw at bitter rivals Brighton

Crystal Palace were content to pick up a point in a 0-0 draw at bitter rivals Brighton

Palace could have lost it late on when former striker Glenn Murray had a header blocked on the line by Andros Townsend.

After losing their first seven league matches of the season, the Eagles have now taken nine points from their last seven and Hodgson believes they are making progress.

'(I'm) satisfied with it, I think it was probably a fair result, both sides had their moments in the game,' said the former England manager.

Brighton defender appeals for a penalty following a late challenge from Mamadou Sakho

Brighton defender appeals for a penalty following a late challenge from Mamadou Sakho

'I'm particularly pleased for us that we could keep a clean sheet because we haven't had too many of those.

'I think that we've got more in our locker, we showed it in patches.

'It was a bit disappointing that we couldn't extend those patches in the game because we had moments in the final third where it was only a correct pass or a correct decision away from giving us a goal chance.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, on loan at Palace from Chelsea, looks to keep the ball under pressure

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, on loan at Palace from Chelsea, looks to keep the ball under pressure

'But this is a derby game, it's away from home, it follows on a good victory for us on Saturday (against Stoke).

'It was important to come here and not lose the game so we could keep that little bit of momentum that we feel we are building up.'

Chris Hughton felt Brighton could have nicked all three points but admitted his players performed below recent standards.

Brighton centre midfielder Propper beats his opposite number, Yohan Cabaye, to a header

Brighton centre midfielder Propper beats his opposite number, Yohan Cabaye, to a header

Albion have now drawn four successive home games and beaten Palace just once in their last eight meetings in all competitions.

'I thought we put them under a fair bit of pressure at times and, arguably, in a game that's probably a fair result, if any team looked like they might just get something, I think it was probably us,' said Seagulls manager Hughton.

'But we weren't at the levels we've been at, certainly in the last couple of games.

'These things happen, you're playing against good teams and you need to be better in the next one.'