Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi admitted he and his teammates were disappointed to only come away from the Brentford Community Stadium with a point on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles were good merit for their clean sheet but for struggled offensively in a game of few clear-cut chances for either side, with Jordan Ayew spurning the visitors best chance when he lashed over from inside the box.
The point sees Palace up to 12th in the Premier League table though Leicester, who face West Ham on Sunday and are one place behind the Eagles in 13th, have three games in hand.
“I’d say [it was] a well-earned point,” Guehi said after the match. “It was a really tough game and a tough place to come to. They made it difficult for us with the game they play, playing balls in behind you.
“I thought we defended well. I would say we’re a bit disappointed. It was a well-earned point but we really want to come to these places and win.
“I thought we kept the ball well, created good chances. We bided our time when we had the ball, took our time to switch the play but just couldn’t find that killer pass or killer shot. We’re a bit disappointed.”
Guehi was involved in a moment of controversy during the first half when his arm clearly slapped against the ball while jumping for a header, with the incident being checked by VAR.
The replays showed that he had actually been pushed by Christian Norgaard though, with referee Simon Hooper awarding Palace a free-kick.
Guehi said there was little doubt in his mind that’d be fouled, adding: “I felt the push - I felt an arm in the back of my head. When you jump, you want to raise your arms as well. Personally, I think it was the right decision.”
Palace boss Patrick Vieira said after the game he thought a draw was a fair result, praising Palace’s defending out of possession but citing a lack of creativity as a reason for his side’s offensive shortcomings.
For the ninth away match this season the Eagles managed just three shots on target or less. In those matches, Palace lost five, drew three and won one (against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium).
“I think in possession we didn’t link the game well to give them problems,” Vieira said. “I think we didn’t create enough chances. Outside of possession, we did fantastically well. A draw is fair for both teams.
“We came here with the ambition to create chances and control the game but we faced a team who work hard and made it hard for us.
“We didn’t move the ball quickly enough offensively but we were organised because we knew how strong they were on set-pieces and counter-attacks and we tried to manage the situation well.
“As a team, we have to be, and I am, happy with the point today”
