Potter: It feels like a win

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Head coach delighted as Albion snatch late point at Selhurst Park.

Charlie Hanson

2021-09-27T21:50:00Z

Graham Potter said the defeat to Manchester United was tough to take.

Graham Potter praised the 'resilience, belief and character' of his team after they drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace.

Wilfried Zaha's penalty on the stroke of half-time looked set to be the decider, but Neal Maupay had other ideas as he calmly lobbed Palace keeper Vicente Guaita in the last minute of added time to score his fourth goal of the season.

“It feels like a win – it’s a fantastic feeling. It’s great for our supporters and to celebrate in front of them was amazing,” Potter said. “It was a tight game, but we pushed and pushed in the second half and showed great spirit to keep going. It was a fantastic finish to the game.

“It was hard fought and I didn’t think there was too much in the game – there weren’t many chances and we’re happy with the point.

“There’s a resilience, a belief and a character which I think has always been there. You need a little bit of luck, but I didn’t think it was one-sided affair.

“We deserved a point more than Crystal Palace deserved a point at the Amex last season and they won 2-1, but that’s football. That’s 13 points from six games – it’s been a good start, but I think we can improve a lot and that’s what we will focus on.”

Zaha’s penalty was awarded after Leandro Trossard’s foul on Conor Gallagher, but Albion were slightly aggrieved with the decision after Danny Welbeck was caught by Joel Ward in the build-up.

“It’s a full blooded challenge – that’s a polite way of putting it,” said Potter. “He takes the ball so in the current climate there’s not too much to say. It didn’t look the best of challenge, but it is what it is.”