Knockaert: We Didn't Deal With Fast Start

Brighton & Hove Albion winger admitted that the side faced an uphill struggle from early on, as Crystal Palace’s fast start ultimately secured a 3-2 victory over Chris Hughton’s side at Selhurst Park.

Palace scored three goals inside the opening 25 minutes to claim all three points, and despite a much-improved second-half performance, the Frenchman felt more should’ve been done to counter the Eagles’ fast start.

He said, “We should’ve expected that they would make a fast start to the game and play with a high tempo.

“We knew that before the game, but we didn’t try to stop them in the first ten minutes. It is what it is and we just have to move on and be focused on the next few games.

“We were pushing for a goal in the second half, and we could see the way they were sitting back and trying to keep the result, so it was going to be tough to come back to get a point.

“We should’ve started the game better, but it wasn’t to be and we have to move onto another fight on Tuesday. We need the three points and every game is massive now.”

Knockaert came off from the bench to make his first appearance since a three-match suspension and is now ready to tackle the remaining games ahead, starting with Tottenham Hotspur at the Amex next Tuesday night.

“It was important [to play] for my confidence. It’s tough to come on in a game after a few weeks off, but I have trained very well.

“I stayed professional and tried to keep fit for when I came back. It wasn’t easy to come on, but I tried my best and I’m ready for the next few games now."

“I don’t think we care about who we play at this stage of the season. Tuesday is another final for us. We did it against Arsenal, so why not against Tottenham? We will try everything we can to get these three points.”