Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards insists there's positives to draw from Monday's defeat to Chelsea.

Palace lost 3-1 due to two injury-time goals from the visitors.

“We're disappointed with the result," Richards told Palace's website. “Of course, you know, when at home, one-nil up at half-time… I felt like the second-half, we came out a bit slow and then that kind of set the tone for the rest of the half.

“But I think performance-wise, it's hard to say you're happy with the performance after a loss, but I think we took more positives than negatives out of how we played.

“[Looking at the games ahead] regardless of the opponent, I think it'll kind of dictate the rest of the season for us. We know that we've two big opponents coming up, and two almost must-win games so, you know, we're going to really focus on what we did well and hopefully use it going forward for the rest of the season."

On the Palace supporters, Richards said: “The fans expect us to fight, and I think maybe we showed a lack of that in Brighton. Today [against Chelsea], regardless of the result, they appreciated the fact that we went out there and fought and scrapped for 90-plus minutes.

“We just have to keep bringing that attitude, that mentality, and hopefully the results start going our way."