Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis praised the resilience of his Eagles in the face of a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday.

The supremo also revealed that Glenn Murray is close to a return to first team action.

Two second-half goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the difference between the sides, although if Arsenal’s possession stats equated to goals, it would have been a hammering.

And it would have been worse but for two Julian Speroni – with new keeper Wayne Hennessey watching from the bench – saves in the first half.

Cameron Jerome had Palace’s best chance when it was 1-0, but the striker’s header was saved comfortably by Wojciech Szczensy.

The defeat drops Palace three places to fourth from bottom, a point outside the dropzone, while Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League.

Pulis said: “We have played at Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur since I have been here and we have been a threat in those games with our wide men playing really well.

“It was not the case today, they did not carry that threat, but they kept going.”

He added: “We were disappointed to lose a poor goal after half time, then our big moment came 90 seconds later and we did not take it. That was the difference.

“We kept going, we showed good determination and resilience, but we need to score more goals and we’re hoping our signings will do that.

“Added to the fact that Glenn is nearing a return, he will play another game tomorrow [Monday], we’re feeling positive.”

Next up is West Brom, above Palace only on goal difference, at Selhurst Park on Saturday – the proverbial six-pointer.

Wimbledon Times:

Battle: Mile Jedinak and Olivier Giroud

Wimbledon Times:

Downcast: Palace wait to kick off after going 2-0 down

Wimbledon Times:

Forward thinking: Yannick Bolasie

Wimbledon Times:

Second-half sub: Barry Bannan