McCarthy tells of relief

The Championship leaders clinched their first win in six

and ended a run of 11 games without a clean sheet in the 1-0 victory at

a windswept Selhurst Park.

"It's always a test of character to go to Selhurst Park and even more so when you're not on the best of runs," said McCarthy.

"I'm really pleased with the performance – particularly

to go there and play as well as we did in the first half having been on

such an awful run.

"It's always about winning, but to do it on a windy night at Crystal Palace having only won one in 11 is very pleasing.

"That gives me immense pride and pleasure, but there was

also a sense of relief because of that need for a victory and a clean

sheet."

McCarthy added: "I thought the players were excellent.

"The only way to get out of the run was to win a game.

"Nothing can give you that belief, heart or confidence until it happens.

"We've not done anything differently to all the other games where we hadn't won, but we were certainly better in possession.

"We passed it and we worked it, it wasn't panicked or rushed, and we were a much better side for it.

"That was something I'd been keen to stress to the

players because on Saturday there had been a bit of panic and an

urgency that was unnecessary.

"We had to be a bit calmer last night and we were.

"The clean sheet was great especially in the condition and came from a good, sound performance," he added.

By TIM NASH