Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson defended chairman Steve Parish and his players after their thrashing by Brighton.

Palace players were seen arguing with fans after their 4-1 hammering at Falmer stadium.

On some players confronting some Palace fans, who were calling for more heart and desire, Hodgson said: "One thing you cannot criticise this club for his heart and desire. At 3-0 down to a top team playing extremely well, the one thing we did not lack in the second half was heart and desire. If you aim criticism at the team, management, the coaching staff etc it should be based on what has gone on on the field of play.

"It is too simplistic to suggest every time you lose a game it is because there is not enough heart and desire."

On banners against Parish being seen, he added: "I think Steve Parish has done a fantastic job for the club. People's memories should be jogged. The club was in awful state before he came. They turned them around and got us into the Premier League. The club is still there and fighting to stay there.

"It is not for me to talk about the club structure and ownership. If you ask me personally as someone working for Steve Parish and the club I think it is very harsh that people are putting banners in that way and trying to blame him for the fact we lost to Brighton."