Roy Hodgson's final verdict on Newcastle thrashing and sends message to duo

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has jumped to the defence of duo Matheus Franca and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi after their 4-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Premier League.

Brazilian Franca was making his debut after a stress fracture was detected during his medical in the summer after arriving from Brazil while Ghanaian-British Sakyi is still finding his feet in the team after returning on loan.

Both showed signs of promise in the game but asked if they did enough, the Palace manager said he'd advise them not to look in papers because of the scoreline.

He is quoted by South London Press: "I never judge players when the game is over. 

“The game was over at half time – it’s a wonderful time. I’m pleased for them that they got a bit of football – it’s handy.

“If I were them and you’re going to start writing how good they were in that 15 to 20 minutes, I would advise them not to read the newspapers.”

Palace had gone into the game at the back of a three-game unbeaten run and there were hopes all that was dashed after goals from goals from Anthony Gordon, Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson rounded off an emphatic afternoon.

Coming into this game, Palace had only conceded 18 goals in total since Hodgson's return to the club in March, but they were opened up far too easily from the start.