Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has blamed Chelsea for hijacking the deal for Reading defender Michael Hector.

Parish claims he had a deal in place to sign the 23-year-old on deadline day before Chelsea swopped in late to sign the Jamaica international.

The Blues signed the player on Tuesday before sending him back on loan to the Madejski Stadium.

"We had a deal for Michael Hector at Reading – that was a done deal and we thought we had that one," Parish said.

"Unfortunately the might of Chelsea came in and the player chose to go there, so at least we're getting the right targets.

"We must be doing the right thing, so that was disappointment but you don't win them all and we live to fight another day.

"I am sure Michael will do very well at Chelsea and we wish him all the best.

"We don't hold grudges, Chelsea are a big club and I think he has supported them since a kid, so you can understand why he chose them."