Hurzeler: We have to learn from a tough day

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Head coach reflects on Sunday's 3-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace.

Bruce Talbot

2024-12-15T17:00+00:00

Fabian Hurzeler made one change at half-time, as he brought on for Julio Enciso for Tariq Lamptey. 📷 by James Boardman.

Fabian Hurzeler says his players have to learn the lessons from a ‘tough day’ against Crystal Palace.

Albion’s unbeaten Premier League record at the Amex was ended with a 3-1 defeat as Trevor Chalobah and Ismail Sarr (2) put the visitors in control before a late own goal by Marc Guehi earned Albion a late consolation.

“It was very disappointing, but we have to learn from these things and improve,” said the head coach. "It was a tough day. We’ve had several days already when I have to talk about a bad experience. These lessons teach you things but you have to find solutions.”

Albion began well and for 15 minutes at the start of the second half had 87% possession but couldn’t pull a goal back after trailing 2-0 at half-time.

Jan Paul van Hecke runs back to centre circle after Albion pulled one back late on. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“We had a good start to the game and a big chance with Mitoma but the goals we conceded are too easy,” added Hurzeler. “One was a set-piece and then there was an individual mistake, and it’s difficult when you are 2-0 down. We showed a good reaction in the second half – we found some momentum and had some big chances but then the game got more difficult because Palace got more and more compact.

“We had the chances and their goalkeeper made two good saves; we created enough but weren’t clinical enough in the opposition box.”

Danny Welbeck and Matt O’Riley added to Albion’s list of absentees but Hurzeler wouldn’t use that as an excuse.

“I would never complain about missing players. We had enough on the pitch to have won the game and weren’t able to,” he added.