Crystal Palace played better in Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City than they did in May's FA Cup final victory over the same opponents, believes head coach Oliver Glasner.
Erling Haaland netted twice and was joined on the scoresheet by the in-form Phil Foden as City ran out comfortable victors at Selhurst Park.
But the scoreline arguably did not tell the full story of a game in which Palace had 16 shots to City's seven and won the expected goals (xG) battle by 2.08 to 1.18.
Palace also struck the woodwork twice, through Yeremy Pino and Adam Wharton, the second time they have done so multiple times in a Premier League game this season (also versus West Ham in September).
They have hit the woodwork eight times overall this season, with only Manchester United and Newcastle United (nine apiece) doing so more often in the Premier League.
When Palace defeated City at Wembley Stadium to win their first major trophy in May, the Eagles had just seven shots to their opponents' 23, losing the xG battle by 0.74 to 2.23.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day about the result, Glasner said: "It feels a little bit wrong, but we have to accept it. This is how big games are decided. It was small margins.
"I think City were better in the boxes. We had 16 shots and losing 3-0 is a tough moment. We will take our lessons from this game. We need these games to grow and develop and progress.
"We had three or four big chances, and we tried to get our goal and get back into the game. It felt like if we got it, something could happen.
"Their first goal, it's a great cross, great movement and great header, that is why it is Haaland and why he scores 40 goals a season.
"The performance today was better than the FA Cup final but then, we had the efficiency and City missed it."
Palace also suffered a major blow when midfielder Daichi Kamada went off injured in the second half, and Glasner is not looking forward to being without the Japan international.
"That is the most disappointing part from this game," Glasner said.
"He was so good with Adam Wharton today. He overstretched and the hamstring got injured.
"We will assess him tomorrow. It hurts because it looks like we will miss him now for a little bit longer."
Feilds
0
this coach you always make noise
😆🤣
Litelntz
0
that's just the way of football it's who took their chances wins....so would u give up your fa cup triumph for winning an epl Match
Necaclnpst
0
Only he who plays better in football wins. Hii ni football, washindwaje kama umecheza vizuri!!??
jomanosuz
1
i don't care
Jaheem100
0
Manchester city new keeper is their hero 💯💪
No Bro
votdltuz
5
Manchester city new keeper is their hero 💯💪
Heikal_Mahsir
0
Deluded.
cubabcilst
1
that boy Sa or what hes name.is on d righr wing should be given a dirty slap by his coacj he wasted alot of chances
Cry about it
Vudbmopsuy
4
The team that plays the better football or take the most shots at goal don’t always win that’s football and that’s reality City till the end it is what it is
Kuoabcrsu
1
this coach you always make noise
sakbklouz
0
that boy Sa or what hes name.is on d righr wing should be given a dirty slap by his coacj he wasted alot of chances
Bokacdilot
1
Clown
hiwbciknrs
0
Everyone after losing to city these days: we played better😂
With 32 % possession and still believed that they were better. 16 useless shots mostly from outside the box.
hoydeklz
2
Palace created more chances than city but could take their chances and so were made to pay.
ShubhankurSharma
4
Everyone after losing to city these days: we played better😂
Pisbiklnty
4
I agree but this season city is different from last season city.
huacelmtuy
3
continue explaining
Viwcelmnyz
1
didn't take your chances and it came back to hurt you
Nam_So
3
Palace always play better no matter who the opponent is. Glasner transformed that team