Bournemouth “couldn’t make the difference in the final third” during their goalless draw with Crystal Palace, admits Andoni Iraola.
The Cherries were denied a fifth win in six games despite carrying a greater attacking threat for long periods at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth registered 18 shots with an xG of 1.19, but only four were on target, with Evanilsson, Philippe Billing and Antoine Semenye also sending their best chances wide.
Iraola admitted that his team didn’t have a cut in the final third.
“We have to pay a point price, but it’s true that we wanted more,” he told Amazon Prime. “We knew the game was going to be pretty level, but this is a team that is very good in possession.
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“They are difficult to press because they are technically very good on the ball. We couldn’t differentiate in the final third.
“I think it’s costing us some games where we’re not making the right decisions at the end. You need to spend half a second to be a little more calm and make the right decision.”
Meanwhile, Palace boss Oliver Glasner hailed his side’s defensive efforts, as they kept just their second clean sheet in 10 matches.
“We were expecting how the game would play out. Too intense, too many conflicts. They were playing very straight at the back, had a lot of speed,” he said.
“I think we defended really well. We were very focused and focused, especially on long balls at the back. We struggled a bit in the first half with set-plays and we knew it was a bit different.
“Usually, they deliver to the nearest post. This time, they blocked our players and sent all the corners to the far post. We made some adjustments in the second half, and then it wasn’t a problem anymore. That’s a good point.”
