Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson admitted to being ‘humbled’ by the warmth of the reception he received at Craven Cottage this afternoon as the Eagles drew with his old club Fulham.

Hodgson made a surprise return to Selhurst Park in March to succeed Patrick Vieira and steered the Eagles to safety with five wins. He remains a hugely popular figure at Fulham having pulled off the Great Escape when all hope seemed lost in 2008 by winning the Whites’ last three games including a nerve-shredding final day victory at Portsmouth. Hodgson that guided the Cottagers to their highest ever top flight finish of seventh and the final of the Europa League in 2010.

He told his post-match press conference after a thrilling 2-2 draw that he was emotional after being cheered off the pitch by both the home and away fans:

“That was incredible. I’m humbled by that, really. I can’t express how grateful I am. Both sets of fans treating me so well today and both cheering my name, because I had a wonderful time at both clubs. It was a wonderful time here at Fulham and it’s been a wonderful time at Palace, two spells now.

So it’s really nice to see two sets of fans recognising that and giving you the sort of accolade that you could only dream or hope to get, so it’s going to be a big day in my memory I think, whatever happens, to have come here today, to have gone away with a well-earned point and to have both sets of fans cheering my name as I came off the field. That’s something not many managers get and I consider myself honoured and flattered that it’s happening to me.”