Back to the Stoke City Newsfeed

Stoke star Erik Pieters admits he was to blame for Crystal Palace goal: 'I am honest enough to hold my hands up'

Stoke's Erik Pieters admits he was to blame for Crystal Palace's equaliser in his side's 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park.

A fine individual effort from Xherdan Shaqiri made the visitors likely winners but they led for only three second-half minutes.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek then tapped in unchallenged at the back post when Andros Townsend's cross evaded Stoke's entire defence and after that lifted Palace, they eventually secured all three points via Mamadou Sakho's winning goal in stoppage time.

Erik Pieters of Stoke City looks dejected after seeing his side throw away a one-goal lead
Erik Pieters of Stoke City looks dejected after seeing his side throw away a one-goal lead

Pieters remains adamant he should have prevented Palace's first, and he told his club's official website: 'We are a team and we win, draw and lose together, but the first goal was from my mistake and I am honest enough to hold my hands up and acknowledge that.