Crystal Palace missed chances behind slump in form, claims Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson says his players' failure to take chances is behind Crystal Palace's recent slump after defeat at Everton left them just two points above the drop zone.

Palace, who went close in the first half when Cheikhou Kouyate's header hit the bar, were beaten for the third successive game and have dropped to 15th in the table.

Roy Hodgson's men have scored only five times in their nine league matches this season, and once in their last four.

Luka Milivojevic was presented with the perfect opportunity to end Palace's mini-drought from 12 yards, but saw his penalty saved by Jordan Pickford with the game goalless.

Hodgson said: "The fact is you have to take your chances.

"We came across a goalkeeper in form, of course. When we had the penalty chance the miss definitely lifted the crowd, they really got behind their team and it gave them fresh impetus going forward.

"I am not certain people would have begrudged us a result had we got one, but we didn't and we have to now dust ourselves down and lift ourselves up because there is no point feeling sorry for yourselves."