Roy Hodgson pleased to get first Crystal Palace clean sheet

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson was a happy man after his side picked up their first clean sheet of the season.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was called upon regularly during the goalless draw against Brighton, but Hodgson was still buoyed by the latest stepping stone to survival.

Palace, who remain bottom of the Premier League, are yet to score away from home this season, though, but the former England boss was happy to focus on the positive of not conceding.

Hodgson said: "To be fair they're flying are Brighton, it's a derby game a clean sheet is good, we've not been blessed with those.

"I think a draw is a fair result at the end of the day and I am pleased we've come through it and particular that we've kept a clean sheet which is a bigger bonus than a 1-1 or 2-2 would have been."

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There was minimal quality in the game as the players from both rivals struggled to create too many meaningful chances, as Brighton and Palace left the Amex with a point each.

Hodgson said: "There was plenty of tension in the game and both teams certainly wanted to win the game but we had to settle for a 0-0."

Palace came closest to scoring as Christian Benteke and then Wilfried Zaha were both denied within seconds of each by Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

The Eagles manager said: "It looked as though we were going to score - Christian Benteke got to the ball quickly and then when it fell to Wilf we were hoping he'd beat the 'keeper but he made a good save."

Hodgson said neither he nor his side were not impacted by the various fireworks set off during the game, sending smoke onto the pitch.

He said: "I've got to say, I can't say I didn't notice it, but it didn't affect me or a great effect on the players either. I think the game was played in the right way."