Roy Hodgson: 'Swansea City draw a step forward'

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has said that his side's 1-1 draw with Swansea City on Saturday was a positive step forward in the club's Premier League survival hopes.

Palace led 1-0 after midfielder Luka Milivojevic converted a penalty just before the hour mark, but Jordan Ayew equalised for Palace as the game ended level.

Hodgson was pleased with his side's performance, which took them two points above the relegation zone.

"I think we looked quite dangerous on the counter and our defence was solid throughout," the 70-year-old told BBC Sport. "We really restricted their chances to a minimum so it wasn't a surprise when we went in front but they scored a very good goal.

"It's another point in our fight out of the relegation zone so we're not too unhappy. It has been going well with Benteke the past few games and he gives us a focal figure in our attack.

"It's a different style to when Wilfried and Andros play together but all things considered a point away from home is another step in our building exercise."

Swansea's point, which is not enough to lift them off the bottom of the league, moved them to within one point of 19th-placed West Bromwich Albion.