CRYSTAL Palace boss Ian Holloway says Brighton played Palace at their own game in this afternoon's 3-0 defeat at the AMEX Stadium.
The Eagles, who have played an attacking brand of football in particular down the channels this season, failed to break down a stubborn Seagulls outfit, and Holloway put the result down to a bad day at the office.
"They scored three, we didn't - simple, " he said.
"Their widemen had more joy than ours funnily enough, seeing as though it's normally us that play that way.
"I didn't think we attacked as well as we can with the team I had out there.
"They scored two quick goals and I'm disappointed how we conceded them.
"I can't remember any of my lads having a decent game. But well done to Brighton, that's all you can say.
"We lost 3-0 to the team that played better on the day. We have to dust ourselves down and look optimistic again."
When questioned about the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs, Holloway believes it isn't just Brighton who Palace have as a rival at this point of the season.
With the automatic promotion spot up for grabs before kick-off, Palace would have been in the driving seat with a win on the south coast.
"It's about who can finish the season in those two places," said Holloway.
"I don't care about rivalry - we have rivalry with all other teams in this division.
"I just think it was their day, to be blunt. My coat is ruined (from the rain), any chance of having a slightly bigger roof?"
And the boss felt his side didn't deserve to be two goals down at the break either.
"How they went in 2-0, on the balance of play, I don't see that," he said.
"It was a huge amount of skill (for the second goal). The goals made them grow, but well done, that's all I can say."
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The Eagles, who have played an attacking brand of football in particular down the channels this season, failed to break down a stubborn Seagulls outfit, and Holloway put the result down to a bad day at the office.
"They scored three, we didn't - simple, " he said.
"Their widemen had more joy than ours funnily enough, seeing as though it's normally us that play that way.
"I didn't think we attacked as well as we can with the team I had out there.
"They scored two quick goals and I'm disappointed how we conceded them.
"I can't remember any of my lads having a decent game. But well done to Brighton, that's all you can say.
"We lost 3-0 to the team that played better on the day. We have to dust ourselves down and look optimistic again."
When questioned about the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs, Holloway believes it isn't just Brighton who Palace have as a rival at this point of the season.
With the automatic promotion spot up for grabs before kick-off, Palace would have been in the driving seat with a win on the south coast.
"It's about who can finish the season in those two places," said Holloway.
"I don't care about rivalry - we have rivalry with all other teams in this division.
"I just think it was their day, to be blunt. My coat is ruined (from the rain), any chance of having a slightly bigger roof?"
And the boss felt his side didn't deserve to be two goals down at the break either.
"How they went in 2-0, on the balance of play, I don't see that," he said.
"It was a huge amount of skill (for the second goal). The goals made them grow, but well done, that's all I can say."
Follow me on Twitter for the latest Palace news, exclusives and live match updates at www.twitter.com/AdvertiserSport
Palace fans on Facebook, please 'Like' our page atwww.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport
Watch our exclusive away videos following Palace around the country on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport
