Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has vowed that his side will "not surrender" despite their increasingly desperate situation in the Premier League.
The Eagles have now lost all seven of their league games this season without scoring a single goal, with Manchester United shipping four past them at Old Trafford today.
Last week Hodgson's side were torn apart by Manchester City and next face a tough tie with reigning champions Chelsea, and the manager is adamant that his players will keep the faith through what is an unfortunate run of tough fixtures.
"The quality these teams have, they don't miss chances," he told BBC Sport. "Coming into the game this week, we thought if things go our way we could have got something out of the game.
"The messages being put across are being grapsed by the players. We now have Chelsea and it doesn't get any easier.
"The past three weeks' work has been good but this [international] break will be good to get more work done. The fans are brilliant and that support will help us through. I hope my enjoyment and passion for the game will spread over to the players.
"At the moment we're like a boxer knocked down by superior fighters. We try to stay in there and not surrender."
The Eagles now have 14 days' break before the encounter with the Blues at Selhurst Park.
Neil Wilkes
