Albion boss Chris Hughton has praised the consistency of Mathew Ryan after he preserved a point in the goalless stalemate against arch-rivals Crystal Palace.

The Australian keeper produced a smart double save to foil Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha early on at the Amex.

Hughton told The Argus: "They are the moments. We have been reasonably compact as a side and haven't allowed the opposition many chances but when they do come you need a goalkeeper that can get you out of jail and he has pulled off some really good saves in those moments in those games."

Hughton admitted a hectic schedule of three games in nine days caught up with his players after drawing at home with Stoke and then losing narrowly against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

He said: "Yes, probably. Palace showed what a good side they are, particularly on the counter with the pace that they've got. But I thought we put them under a fair bit of pressure at times towards the end and arguably, in a game that is probably a fair result, if any team looked like they might get something it was us.

"But we weren't at the levels we've been at in the last couple of games and certainly on Saturday.

"These things happen. You are playing against good teams and you need to be better in the next one."