KEEPER Dean Henderson believes it is only a matter of time before things start to click in the final third of the pitch for Crystal Palace.
The Eagles put in a spirited performance last night at Chelsea, with Michael Olise equalising on the stroke of half-time to cancel out Mykhailo Mudryk’s 13th minute opener.
Roy Hodgson’s side got themselves in some decent positions after the break, but struggled to create any real clear chances.
Any hopes of even securing a point were dashed when Eberechi Eze was adjudged to have fouled Noni Madueke by VAR, a decision confirmed after an onscreen review by referee Michael Salisbury.
Madueke eventually stepped up to send Henderson the wrong way from the spot, leaving the keeper to ponder what might have been afterwards had the visitors been a bit more clinical in front of goal.
Henderson told Palace TV: “The team set up and played really well. We got the ball down, we passed it about, showed some good courage to get on the ball and everyone to a man played really well.
“We created some good opportunities and we were unfortunate.
“Obviously we had some breakaways and we just lacked a bit of quality in the final third.
“To be honest, the kick in the teeth at the end with the penalty, it is really tough to take.”
He added: “What I would say as well is we are getting in these positions.
“Hopefully it is going to click.
“I’m sure people can see we are playing really well at the moment, things aren’t just quite going our way. It’s football, it’s unfortunate.
“It was almost like we would have been disappointed with a draw and then we go on to lose the game somehow. It is really disappointing.
“I thought we defended really well as a unit today as well.
“Everyone to a man again was really good, it is just that last bit.
“Hopefully that will come really soon.”
Olise was a summer target for Chelsea before penning a new deal in SE25, but showed his admirers at Stamford Bridge what they missed out on with a fine display and goal.
“He is great to have in your team,” admitted Henderson.
“Every time he gets the ball you think that he is going to come up with something special.
“He has just got to keep working hard and it will come off more often than not.
“Hopefully it will come and get us three points come Saturday.”
Palace are now just three points above the drop zone, something they will be looking to rectify when they take on fellow strugglers Brentford at Selhurst on Saturday.
“We’ve got the home support there,” said Henderson.
“I think if we play like we did first half the other night (v Brighton), and obviously like we did today and away at City, we’ve got a great chance of picking up a lot of points.
“We’ve just got to trust it and the luck will come.”
