"It’s not a good result.

“They showed us their power and how they have played recently here [Selhurst Park]. We tried to keep consistent in our way, trying to be competitive in 90 minutes.

"More or less in the first half we were creating chances. We had chances to score and equalise but in the second half we lost our energy. After we achieved our strong objective that we were planning since August, it was very difficult today. It is a disappointing result. Today we didn’t feel strong in the field.

"We have to accept it. We achieved our objective, but it is important to keep being consistent.

"I can’t tell nothing [negative] about the players or our work. Sometimes, like when you have circumstances like today, you have to accept it.

"But now we will rest. Players will go to their national teams and when we come back we will have the capacity to work with the club to analyse deeply now what we can do for the next year. Now is the moment to take decisions.

"Leon Bailey was sick yesterday and Emi Martinez was playing with a small injury and we were wishing him to play last Monday against Liverpool. For the match today we decided to stop him so he can recover 100 per cent.

“Calum always helps us and I think he deserves as well to get minutes on the field. He helped us on Monday against Liverpool. We were working with Chambers and I decided to start him.

"We have to decide about how we are going to build again the squad with the players. Like last year. We are going to decide how we can get stronger in the squad with the players. How we are building the team … the next step ahead is trying to improve this summer."

Unai Emery post-match.