CRYSTAL Palace manager Neil Warnock was proud of the way his side performed in last night’s 2-0 Carling Cup defeat against Manchester City.

The Eagles were more than a match for the world’s richest club in the first half but fell behind five minutes after the break when Shaun Wright-Phillips put City in front.

Carlos Tevez added a second in the 71st minute but Palace were denied a consolation penalty in stoppage time when Wayne Bridge handled in the box – a decision which drew predictable criticism from Warnock.

He said: “They say they even out over the season, referees’ decisions. Well, we’re owed quite a few.

“We did as well as we expected and it was a great tribute to us Mark played the team he did.

“I’m proud of the players - the difference was one bit of magic from Wright-Phillips. I’ve no complaints.

“It was great for the fans and I brought my kids tonight.

“They said they wanted to see Adebayor but I told them he wouldn’t get a kick and I was right.

“Lescott will not be under any more pressure in the Premiership than here.

“If Tevez had got some of our chances we had scored.”

Eagles skipper Shaun Derry added: “If one or two chances had fallen to any other player bar me, we would have got two goals.

“They’re going to go back up north knowing they’ve been in a fine cup tie.

“We will take it into Monday’s game and know we can play like that against the top players.”

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