The Welsh international said: “Everybody’s head is down. It’s three points massively missed for us. We didn’t get going from the start, but managed to get in at 0-0. But we started sloppy again, and they punished us.”
Hennessey made two fine saves in the first half – the first from a sweetly struck effort from Hojbjerg, and another from a Milivojevic header which was destined for the top corner. In the second, he was beaten by Danny Ings within minutes of the restart, before thwaring Charlie Austin 65th minute penalty, in what was his first penalty save for Palace. That save spurred his side and the crowd on, as Palace pushed for an equaliser that was sadly not forthcoming, and Hojbjerg sealed the deal for the Saints with an injury time strike.
He reflected: “We were always chasing, and that led to the second goal as we pushed forward to try to get that equaliser and they punished us.”
But the ever humble Hennessey was keen to praise the performance of former Eagle, Alex McCarthy, who kept Benteke and co. at bay. “Alex played well and made a few good saves, [including] a fantastic save off Christian’s header. Unfortunately it just doesn’t go in for you sometimes. Chances kept coming and coming, but we just didn’t find the net.”