November 12 2014

Adrian Mariappa

Adrian Mariappa believes Crystal Palace are heading in the right direction despite the defeat to Manchester United.

The Eagles lost by the odd goal at Old Trafford on Saturday, but Mariappa feels the team were more solid defensively than they have been in recent weeks.

"We are disappointed to concede obviously and I thought we looked solid all game," he said. "We defended well and then we conceded. We created a good chance as well in the first half but it wasn’t to be, but I thought the performance from the team was very good.

"They (Man United) have spent a lot of money but we were very, very good defensively and it was a deflected goal that has gone in so it was unfortunate for us.

"It happens and we will move on from that. Anyone who knows us from last season knows that’s we’ve been all about.

"Of late we have conceded more goals than we’d have liked to so it is good to get back to being solid. We wanted a clean sheet but we will be looking for those in the future of course."