Hodgson: Palace’s commitment ‘wasn’t good enough’

Ian Watson

Roy Hodgson barely disguised his criticism of Christian Benteke while bemoaning Crystal Palace’s commitment during the first half of their defeat at Chelsea.

Willian scored the first for the hosts before Martin Kelly’s own goal following Davide Zappacosta’s shot saw Chelsea cruising before half-time. Patrick van Aanholt’s goal against his former club set up a tense conclusion, but the result rarely looked in doubt.

Hodgson withdrew striker Benteke at half-time, with the return of Wilfried Zaha transforming the visitors.

Hodgson said: “The level of commitment wasn’t good enough in the first half.

“I don’t think we had all 11 doing that in the first half. We did have all 11 doing that in the second half.”

Zaha was back following a knee injury, but Hodgson did not regret leaving the forward out of the starting XI.

He did rue the late strike from Alexander Sorloth which was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

He said: “I saw it from the touchline. The people who tell me we should feel aggrieved studied it on the video. And they tell me there wasn’t too much wrong with it.”