Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis believes his players were slightly off the boil during their 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
The Eagles had won their five previous Premier League fixtures prior to the visit of third-placed City but were unable to extend their run as Manuel Pellegrini's side scored early through Edin Dzeko before Yaya Toure added a second just before half-time.
"We gave them a leg up. The goal early on I think settled their nerves and knocked us a little bit," he told Sky Sports.
"Against the big teams you need everybody to play to the top of their game and we were just a little bit off it today.
"Just making sure the game was nice and tight (was important).
"Every player in our team had to be on it today and we've found all season that against the bigger teams that is the way it's got to be."
