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Martin Kelly reveals Crystal Palace didn't prepare enough to play five-man defence at City… but Sam Allardyce hits back over defender's error: 'If he heads it out properly we defend it'

Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce has rubbished Martin Kelly's claim that his switch to five at the back was behind the team's 5-0 drubbing at Manchester City - instead pointing to his defender's poor clearance.

Allardyce began the match with a back five at the Etihad on Saturday after the squad was hit by a string of injuries in central defence.

But Palace fell to a third successive defeat as City ran out easy winners over the Eagles to leave them looking nervously over their shoulder.

Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce refused to blame starting a five-man defence for the loss
Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce refused to blame starting a five-man defence for the loss

And speaking to Sky Sports in the post-match interview Kelly appeared to blame some of the confusion among the Palace defence on the tactical switch.