Roy Hodgson Faces Backlash from Crystal Palace Fans Again
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has come under fire from fans once again after subbing off Eberechi Eze during their loss to Everton. Hodgson defended his decision, stating that he was resting Eze for their upcoming match against Arsenal.
The Eagles were knocked out of the FA Cup in a 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park. Andre Gomes’ impressive free-kick secured Everton’s place in the fourth round, where they will face Luton Town. This loss adds to Crystal Palace’s poor form, as they have only won one of their last 11 games across all competitions.
Fans expressed their displeasure towards Hodgson when Eze was substituted in the 64th minute. Despite being the team’s best attacking player, Eze was taken off, leading to loud boos and chants of ‘You don’t know what you’re doing!’ directed at Hodgson.
In his post-match press conference, Hodgson confirmed that Eze was not injured and that he made the substitution to ensure the player’s fitness for the Arsenal game. He acknowledged the disappointment of the fans but emphasized the importance of protecting Eze from potential injury.
Hodgson also highlighted the team’s missed opportunities in the game, stating that they had several exceptional goal chances in the last 20 minutes. However, he admitted that Crystal Palace can only blame themselves for not converting those chances into goals.
This is not the first time tensions have risen between Hodgson and the Palace faithful. In December, a fan threw a bottle at the manager following a disappointing defeat to Bournemouth. Hodgson later apologized for his comments, where he accused supporters of being ‘spoiled’.
As Crystal Palace prepares for their upcoming match against Arsenal, Hodgson expressed concern about the quick turnaround time between games. He mentioned that they will be returning late from the Everton match and will have little time to rest before facing Arsenal.
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