A Big Disappointment, Says Puel
- Claude Puel says Leicester City need to restore confidence following a 4-1 reverse to Crystal Palace
- Jonny Evans was on target for the Foxes at King Power Stadium
- Michy Batshuayi, Wilfried Zaha (2) and Luka Milivojević secured the points for the Eagles
The Foxes, despite levelling matters on 64 minutes when Jonny Evans cancelled out Michy Batshuayi’s opener, were beaten as Wilfried Zaha’s double and a Luka Milivojević penalty secured three points for the visitors.
While Puel felt his side showed desire after the break, the City manager explained they must improve their game management.
“Of course, it’s a big disappointment at the end,” said Puel. “We played a good first half with quality, a good performance with the ball with chances and shots. We conceded the first goal. We were unlucky, another time I think it’s perhaps not a foul against us.
“Just after, we conceded this strange goal. We came back in the second half with desire to score and we have had this opportunity with Jonny [Evans]. It was a good period, a good moment to continue to push and we conceded a second goal on the counter-attack.
“I think we have to manage this situation better, of course. It was difficult to accept this second goal with all this effort. We tried. After, we didn’t manage the game with enough quality. We made a mistake and we conceded all the goals at the end.
“It’s difficult to accept and [we have] a lot of disappointment because we were unlucky. After the end of the game, we need confidence. Confidence to continue this way and believe in ourselves because I think we deserved another result. For the moment, it’s not the case.”
Puel says it will be important for the Foxes to respond on Tuesday evening, when they host Brighton & Hove Albion on Filbert Way (7:45pm GMT kick-off).
“I think it will be important, of course, to have this result against Brighton,” added the Frenchman. "I think it’s a good thing to play quickly after this game. Not to forget, but to have the right reaction and response in our next game.
“Of course, for our fans and for us, we have to find the good clinical edge and I think the good reward to turn the luck and chances.
“I think we didn’t have all the results we need and we deserve. But, it’s just first to continue the way and to have the right reaction after this game.”