Roy Hodgson has described Crystal Palace's goalless draw at Brighton & Hove Albion as a "fair result" and is particularly pleased about keeping a clean sheet.
The Eagles continue to show signs of recovery after their dismal start to the campaign as they followed up Saturday's 2-1 win over Stoke City with a point and a shutout at the home of their rivals.
Hodgson acknowledged that Brighton are "flying high" in the top flight following promotion from the Championship and was eager to ensure that his players kept their composure in what is generally a fiery fixture.
"To be fair they are flying high. It's a derby game," Hodgson told BBC Sport. "A clean sheet is good because we haven't had too many of those. We had some good spells and a draw is a fair result. Keeping a clean sheet is a bigger bonus than a 1-1 or 2-2.
"Both teams tried to play the game they wanted to play. Chris and myself made it a clear that it was a game played in the head not the heart. It wasn't going to be a rumbustious game with people flying into each other. That's not the way either side play. We will take a lot of confidence.
"Christian Benteke did well for us. He is still feeling his way after such a long layoff. We hope he will get stronger and stronger and hopefully the team will be more clinical in the final third."
The result at the Amex Stadium sees bottom-placed Palace narrow the gap between themselves and 17th-placed Everton to three points.
Giuseppe Labellarte
