Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson was happy with his players in defeat to Chelsea.

Palace lost 3-1, having fought back to 1-1 at one stage.

Hodgson said, “I'm always disappointed when we lose but I can't be critical of the team's performance. In the first half we were solid and well-organised but maybe lacking that little bit of aggression which we put right at the start of the second half.

“We started that very brightly and at 1-1 we had hopes, but the free-kick saw them take the lead again and to come back a second time was always going to be difficult and we weren't able to do it.

“I'm disappointed with the free-kick goal [to make it 2-1]. The foul is a cheap one and I don't think many managers would be happy seeing free-kicks given against them for that type of challenge. In all those balls that are whizzed into the box, there is always something going on that you can point to.

“On another day the referee might see something that'll work in you favour but unfortunately we didn't get away with that one, and the ball fell very kindly for Morata and he took his chance very well."