Roy Hodgson ruthlessly called out three young Crystal Palace players after losing to Spurs

Crystal Palace's veteran manager Roy Hodgson did not hold back in his post-match analysis of his side's performance, specifically calling out his younger players.

The Eagles fell to a 2-1 home defeat against an in-form Tottenham side that now sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, which at first glance looks like nothing to be ashamed of.

Not for Roy Hodgson though, who has seemed to place the majority of the blame for the loss on the younger players that he brought on off the bench in the hopes to change the game.

The 76-year-old said after the game: ""There was no disappointment today - maybe the young substitutes, who we like to think we can believe in and help us to a different level, didn’t show that. They didn’t do anything for us at all, really.

"We became much weaker when I made the substitutions. Partly because we need to see those players as well – we need to see if they really are going to be able to help us out."

The youngsters in question are Jesuran Rak-Sakyi (21), Naouirou Ahamada (21), and Matheus Franca (19), who all came on in the second half in a gamble by the experienced Eagles boss.

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Brazilian youngster Matheus Franca was only on the pitch in the latter stages, with the appearance being his debut for the club, partly prompting a lot of Palace fans to oppose Hodgson's post-match comments.

One fan on X said: 'I’ve not got a clue what’s gone through Roy Hodgson’s mind here.'

Another one commented: 'If it's reverse psychology he's going for, he's way off the mark with it.'

A disgruntled Eagles fan also stated: 'Think he’s finally lost the plot and it’s time for a change.'

Crystal Palace went behind to a Joel Ward own goal, with Son Heung-Min adding a second following a great team move.

Jordan Ayew volleyed home a consolation goal in stoppage time, but it ultimately was not enough, with the result leaving Palace in 12th place.

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