Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson hailed the performance of Gary Cahill for their draw with Brighton.

The centre-back earned his first minutes of the season by playing the full match against Brighton & Hove Albion, and Hodgson took the chance when asked to explain his defensive and leadership qualities.

"First of all he's a very, very good defender," the manager said. "His position is very good, he's exceptionally good in the air, he's a strong challenger for the ball and a very good blocker of the ball. These are the defensive qualities we don't talk about every day... They're the qualities that get you the clean sheets.

"He's also brought us leadership qualities, he's been very good leadership-wise. He's the best type of leader; he's the quiet leader people don't see from Row Z in the stand. He's the leader we see in training week to week.

"We're very fortunate, we have two very good leaders in that respect: club captain Luka Milivojevic and Gary Cahill, who I guess is a vice captain. And also Scott Dann."