CRYSTAL Palace manager Tony Pulis refused to be downhearted following his side's 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester City which threw the title race wide open once again.
Pulis addressed his players after the match and felt that they were not at their best.
He said: "I just said now downstairs that for us to win a game today every player had to be at their best and you're hoping to catch Man City not at their best."
The Palace boss hinted at the difference in financial budgets the two clubs had to work with and praised the superb performance of City midfielder Yaya Touré who was returning from injury.
"You have to realise that playing against some teams there's not a level playing field," he said.
"Touré being fit was a real disappointment for me because I think he's a wonderful player and can do things that cause havoc."
