The Eagles lost in the cruellest way against the Premier League leaders Manchester City on Saturday.

But despite the defeat, Crystal Palace's early season form has left Alan Pardew's side sitting pretty in the table in sixth.

However, their Scottish international midfielder James McArthur admitted he was still in shock at the final whistle.

He said: "I'm really gutted to be honest.

Look who's back - Crystal Palace skipper wants a response

Picture gallery: Crystal Palace boss lays no blame at McCarthy's feet after Manchester City heartbreak​

"We felt we did enough to get a point, and I don't think they had many clear cut chances other than the Jesus Navas one.

"We had some really good chances and unfortunately we got nothing from the game.

"There's a few things we could have done better before their goal.

"I could have maybe stopped the shot as well, but they've been clincial on that occasion and it's unfortunate and gutting."

He added: "It's horrible losing that way in the last minute when you feel like you've done enough.

Surrey Comet:

Whoops: Jesus Navas, second from right, rues missing an open goal - much to the delight of the Palace fans behind him 

"If we hadn't have played well or they had dominated the match then maybe you could have said they deserved it, but it's just gutting that we put so much effort in and we didn't get that little break that we worked hard for."

On Saturday, midfielder Mile Jedinak returned to the squad and both Brede Hangeland and Martin Kelly made their season league debuts, coming in to the defence to cover injuries to Damien Delaney and Joel Ward, highlighting the depth of the Palace squad.

"I felt Mile did really well when he came in," said the 27-year-old.

"He broke up play, got on the ball and tried to dictate the pace. Brede and Martin did well too.

"We tried to nullify their chances, but you look at the goals Man City have been scoring through their free-flowing football and I think we made it really hard for them, and that's because of the defence as well.

"In the second half we were playing a little deeper than we would have liked to have been.

"But when you're playing against world class players, you're going to have your back to the wall sometimes."