Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson admits defeat at home to Chelsea was tough to take.

Palace lost 3-1, with two injury-time goals scored by the visitors.

Hodgson said: "We had our share of chances in the second half and they were not cutting through us. You know with the quality of players they have it is going to be a tough ask defensively but I thought our players stood up and defended as well as they possibly could.

"I feel extremely sorry for them because to go home and sleep on that defeat is going to be very tough for everybody.

"The fans were very good throughout. They must be gutted because like me at 85 minutes I was not thinking we are going to lose this game. I thought we were at least coming away with a point."

Asked about Palace staying up, Hodgson added: "I am confident we can do that. At the moment we are playing without three or four of our most experienced and quality players and they won't be out until the end of the season.

"I am not concerned we are going to be relegated and the way the players played tonight, if you add the quality to that, I don't think we need to be too concerned about relegation. We are not complacent about it but I believe in the team and players and believe they will pull us through."