Alan Pardew had no complaints over Crystal Palace's effort but admitted that they did not have the quality to get anything from their game with Everton.
The Eagles lost their 100% record under Pardew's management as Romelu Lukaku's second-minute goal at Selhurst Park earned the visitors a 1-0 victory.
Palace had come from behind to win their last three matches and Pardew has admitted that they perhaps pushed their luck once too often this afternoon.
"We had enough possession and enough chances but couldn't find that bit of quality," he told reporters.
"Going behind so early gave them something to sit on. They defended well, to be fair. You can't keep going behind because it's going to catch up with you and it did so today.
"I couldn't have asked for more effort in the second half - they provided as much effort and commitment as you could hope for. It's disappointing for our fans but they know and we know that there is a long way to go. We need to react well in the next game."
The Londoners remain 13th in the Premier League ahead of their meeting with bottom-of-the-table Leicester City next weekend.
