CRYSTAL Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni says he and his team-mates fancied themselves in this season's FA Cup after they were knocked out by Liverpool on Saturday.
After witnessing a number of the bigger clubs falling in the third and fourth rounds, the Eagles were handed one of the tougher draws for the fifth.
"It was very disappointing and we had a good chance to go far in the competition," said Speroni.
"It would have been nice to get to Wembley. As players you always aim to win things, and especially this year with some of the big teams out, we felt we had a good chance.
"It just wasn't meant to be. It was one of those games where nothing went for us.
"It could have been another memorable night against Liverpool. They are a great team and have people who can hurt you. They did that."
Speroni may have been at fault for Liverpool's winner, when Adam Lallana took advantage of the ball being diverted into his path following Mario Balotelli's free-kick.
The custodian said he went to parry the shot but it bounced off his wrist instead.
"I was busy in the first half, and even though the goals came in the second half I didn't have as much to do, and that is more disappointing," said Speroni.
"I felt so unlucky. The first goal hit the inside of my leg and went in, it could have gone anywhere.
"The second one with Balotelli, the way he hits the ball it moves so much and I tried to push it to the other side.
"It hit my wrist instead and it fell to their player so I didn't get any luck.
"We have been on a good run so far and we need to continue that. It's about focusing on the league, we have 13 games to go and every one of them will be a cup final for us."
By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)
