As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Crystal Palace boss Hodgson delighted with Ozoh, Franca for Man City draw

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson praised David Ozoh and Matheus Franca after their 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

A 95th minute penalty converted by Michael Olise earned Palace their point.

Hodgson said: "I thought David Ozoh was excellent.

“The ones that came on in the end, in particular Franca… he had a very good cameo. I've been expecting that. I've said to him on many occasions 'when you get your chance 'you'll be okay'… Before that, we were reliant on [Jeff] Schlupp and Jaïro Riedewald, who did an excellent job for us.

“We know it doesn't matter if the team we're playing against is, on paper, regarded as a stronger team – we know we can get out there and make a good game of it.

“I don't think we'll see the best of Crystal Palace until we get players back from injury and we start to field what we think might be our best XI, which we were able to do at the end of last season. That's a way off, so the fight will have to continue until then, but it's good to know you've got that fight in your team.

“The goals were good goals as far as we're concerned. [Jean-Philippe] Mateta, who has been waiting for his chance, has grabbed it with both hands. He deserves an awful lot of credit for the way he played today."

Video of the day:

About the author

Paul Vegas

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free