Crystal Palace

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We asked for your views on Thursday's draw with Besiktas in the Europa League.

Here are some of your comments:

Keith: Decent performance. Better finishing (and monitoring of the offside line) in the first half would have led to a comfortable win. Two missed tackles on their second was costly.

Bob: I thought Palace deserved better than the hard-fought 2-2 draw in Turkey. We should also have had a penalty awarded when Kamada was fouled inside the box. This was a hostile crowd, but Palace held their nerve and Sage can be proud of his team. Let's hope we can put on the same spirit against Newcastle on Sunday.

Phil: Still need to stop conceding. To score twice is encouraging but some clean sheets are needed.

Dave: Best performance by far this season (albeit against a poor side). Canvot on the left of defence and Pino really good. Mateta was outstanding up front and Wharton looked full of confidence. If this continues against Newcastle, Sage keeps his job.

Andy: Well done, Sage. Change has been seen this season and with the two leaders of the back three being sold last January and in the summer window and not replaced, it shows you still have the backing of the players. Great improvement from Sunday. After Brighton's free-flowing goals it was good to see we can defend.

Adrian: One of those games where, for some of the time, we couldn't finish and the defence went to sleep. Otherwise, we'd have won by several goals - plus, we were also up against the referee.

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Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage speaking to TNT Sports: "[I am happy] with the performance now, with the result we deserve better.

"We have to remember the situation before the game, the performance was worse on Sunday, we made a good step and now to go forward and win against Newcastle on Sunday."

On Jean-Philippe Mateta's goal: "I am really happy for him. It's a good moment for him, just before coming out, he was not really ready to play, you could then see he was tired but when you have this mindset and give your life on the pitch it is good for you.

"We have a lot of satisfaction in individual performances and I have to underline the team performance, too.

"At the end, we made a good game without the result we deserved."

Did you know?

• Since his debut for Crystal Palace in February 2021, Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored 63 goals in all competitions for the club, 26 more than any other player (Eberechi Eze is next on 37).

• The Eagles have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 games on the road in all competitions, shipping a total of 33 goals in that time.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies.

There are 18 games in both the Europa League and the Conference League on Thursday - with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland involved in the former, and Brighton the latter - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Jablonev v Brighton (17:45)

• Lech Poznan v Sunderland (17:45)

• Besiktas v Crystal Palace

• Bournemouth v AC Milan

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated. See the fixture list in full here

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Matt Woosnam from The Athletic, speaking to BBC Radio London about Pierre Sage's struggles defensively as Crystal Palace boss: "There definitely needs to be an acceptance that Sage hasn't had a lot of time to be able to implement his style, but there doesn't appear to be any organisation or structure.

"You look at the way they defend and its not just the centre-backs - it's the whole team that isn't defending well. It's before it gets to them that it's a problem as well.

"Sage talks about the best way to defend being winning the ball, keeping the ball, and playing high - but Palace are 17th in the Premier League for the amount of possession they've had. They are not keeping the ball.

"They are also not playing in a low block which he has talked about, so his way of playing isn't working at the moment. He has had a lot to deal with, but I just don't see what is going on with their defence - and that isn't just because they have lost Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix."

Listen to the full discussion below or on BBC Sounds here

A humiliating defeat at the weekend has lead to pressure mounting on Pierre Sage, and serious questions being raised about his future with Crystal Palace.

Eagles fan Ollie Thomas breaks down what went wrong at Brighton, why the defensive issues run deeper than injuries, and the tactical changes that could save Palace's season.

"The 5-0 result against Crystal Palace has been coming.

"What happened against Palace was the chickens came home to roost. All the chances we have got away with against Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Ipswich, Lyon, it all evened itself out on Sunday.

"What a terrible time for that to happen. I think this will instigate change at Palace.

"That doesn't mean in the dugout, but in the way we play, the way we set up and the personnel.

"Do I think Sage is going to keep his job at Palace? No, I don't.

"Are we delaying the inevitable? Yes. It is difficult to escape the reality that we look awful defensively.

"We are statistically the worst defensive team in the Premier League by a mile. If you defend how we have defended, you are going to be down there by the end of the season.

"Of course we were going to suffer this season. I firmly believe you could put Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi in that starting XI, and we would still concede as many chances.

"The options at the back are not good. Axel Disasi's red card amplified those issues and a lot of Palace fans have made their minds up on Disasi.

"He is going to have to be a cornerstone of our defence this season. I don't see the point of us turning our backs on him.

"I think you can confidently say our defensive issues are not down to Disasi.

"Disasi being back will offer more options for Sage, which is consistency in the backline."

Listen to more from Ollie by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Besiktas at Tupras Stadyumu (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Sage confirmed Ben Chilwell has returned to the matchday squad after missing five games through injury but midfielder Quinten Timber is ruled out.

• Although goalkeeper Dean Henderson returned to training on Monday, he will not be part of the squad to face Besiktas.

• Sage also added that Takehiro Tomiyasu is "out until the next international break" as the 27-year-old "has another injury".

• In the same news conference, experienced left-back Tyrick Mitchell urged Palace to "get back to basics", such as "being more aggressive".

• Sage added: "We have different problems, and sometimes we resolve one, and then you create a new one. That's why we have to be better in each side of the play, and to be more consistent in what we do, in what we believe, in what we are stable in."

• On the 5-0 Brighton defeat, Sage said: "Sometimes we have to switch quickly, and it's the case this time. It was a tough defeat in a context, you know, and we have to forget this quickly, because now we have to show our real face in a big atmosphere."

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Crystal Palace have come under fire from an animal rights group as they urge the club to retire their live bald eagle mascot with immediate effect.

In a letter to Palace CEO Sharon Lacey, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) asked the Premier League club to stop using the eagle, named Phoenix, in pre-match displays at Selhurst Park and to never use live animal mascots again.

Peta says birds can become "frightened, disoriented and panicked" in stadium environments, putting themselves and fans at risk.

Using them for displays and entertainment also denies the animals, who "would naturally avoid humans", the opportunity to engage with their natural instincts, leading to "frustration and stress", the group said.

The London team, known as the Eagles since 1973, introduced a live eagle to matchdays in 2010. Kayla, who died in 2020, performed the role for 10 years and her replacement Phoenix made her debut against West Ham in August 2024.

Read more on the story

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel says Crystal Palace's second goal against Nottingham Forest should have been disallowed on the field for handball - but backed the video assistant referee's decision not to intervene.

The game was locked at 1-1 deep into first-half stoppage time when Jefferson Lerma appeared to nod the ball through the legs of Forest keeper Matz Sels.

However, it soon transpired that the ball had deflected off the elbow of team-mate Anan Khalail on its way into goal.

That meant the goal technically belonged to Khalail, who could not score a goal with his arm.

This was not picked up in the initial replays, only becoming clear during the half-time analysis on the television coverage.

Palace went on to win the game 3-1 at Selhurst Park.

The Premier League's KMI Panel voted 3:2 that it was an on-field mistake by referee Peter Bankes, but it was unanimous that the VAR, Darren England, was right not to rule out the goal.

"On the balance of probability the ball is likely to have come into contact with Khalaili's arm," the KMI Panel said.

"The panel all supported the VAR's decision to not intervene on the basis that the footage readily available to the VAR doesn't show conclusive evidence of a handball."

It will sting for Forest as they had a Neco Williams goal ruled out for handball in their 0-0 draw with Tottenham through a VAR intervention.

Williams insisted after the game the ball did not touch his arm, but replays which later emerged appeared to prove it did. The KMI Panel unanimously supported the decision.

Bankes was on VAR duty for the disallowed goal against Spurs.

Manchester United are continuing to monitor the situation of 28-year-old Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr, with Galatasaray also still interested in the Senegal international. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Crystal Palaces recent DNA is rooted in defensive stability. Predecessors Oliver Glasner and Roy Hodgson produced well-organised teams with a solid base for its attacking players.

Conceding close to 2.5 goals per game is so far removed from what the team's recent successes has been built upon that it has raised major concern from the club's powerbrokers.

Palace are currently on course to concede 92 goals this season. No club has conceded more since Sheffield United shipped 104 goals to finish bottom in 2024.

Personnel is contributing to those defensive deficiencies. Losing Guehi, Lacroix and Munoz in the space of six months represent significant losses.

From the three centre-backs that started in Sunday's 5-0 loss to Brighton, Jaydee Canvot is 20 years old and Honest Ahanor only 18.

Nevertheless, there is a clear sense from inside the club that Pierre Sage's system and approach has been a major contributing factor towards their troubles in defence.

There is a perception from sections of supporters that the club's summer defensive recruitment has not helped.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben Chilwell and Oscar Mingueza arrived on free transfers, while Axel Disasi and Ahanor arrived on loan.

As mitigation, it is understood Palace have encountered major difficulty in complying with Uefa's financial rules, leaving them hampered in the transfer market.

Trying to stay within Uefa's guidelines was among the reasons why the club sold Munoz to Nottingham Forest for £22m.

But those financial difficulties do not make the situation Sage finds himself any less critical.

With a Europa League trip to Besiktas and home Premier League game against Newcastle on the horizon, Sage has an opportunity to change the mood music.

Two positive results and the Frenchman will hope he can mount a more consistent upward trend.

Two defeats, however, and Palace may well feel that enough is enough.

Read more from Sami on the story

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We asked if you agreed with Crystal Palace fan Ollie Thomas that the Eagles should consider a formation change if they want to avoid a relegation battle this season.

Here are some of your comments:

Lewis: Change the formation from 3-4-3, to maybe a 4-3-3. The three-man defence doesn't work.

Paul: Definitely agree we've looked vulnerable for a long tim. Change to a 4-3-3 please before we are in a relegation battle.

Dominic: Has to change the formation and strengthen midfield. Too many runners through midfield where we end up with five attackers against three defenders. Give whatever system we played at Leeds another go.

Jason: We need to make a few changes - formation and leadership. First, shore up the defence by changing to four at the back. Put in an extra midfielder to play a defensive role in front of the defence to help protect them. We need a leader on the pitch. As much as I like and respect Adam Wharton for his skill, he does not provide the leadership on the pitch we need.

Stephen: There is no wrong formation. I doubt whether any trainer would get a tune out of this squad. Our best two defenders left and they were replaced with Chelsea cast-offs and sick-notes. Pierre Sage, so far, hasn't been able to pick a stable defensive unit. That said, tactics using the basic formation seem wildly off attempting high pressing and exposing the defenders.

Colin: The manager should be able to make tactical adjustments, including formation changes, when circumstances dictate. Playing away to an in-form Brighton side is a case in point! I like that Sage is trying to play an expansive game, but we can't be doing that in every match. If he can't see that then he needs to go.

Has Pierre Sage taken on one of the most testing Premier League roles this summer?

That was a question posed by Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live, with consideration given to the stunning success the Eagles enjoyed under previous boss Oliver Glasner.

Crystal Palace fan Dan Cook told Monday Night Club: "It's definitely a fair point. There's a lot of goodwill towards Sage from the fanbase. I don't think it's one of those situations where any of us are banging the drum for him to go.

"But there comes a point when you look at it defensively, I think we have conceded 17 goals in seven Premier League games.

"We want it to work. From an attacking perspective we can score goals. But at the same time, if you are porous week after week and you have a squad that are bottom half really in terms of expectation, you can't be conceding two or three, and that's where that struggle comes in."

Watch a clip of the show above or listen in full on BBC Sounds

While no-one doubted that following in Oliver Glasner's footsteps as Crystal Palace manager would be a difficult task, Pierre Sage now finds his position under close scrutiny.

A string of poor results - most recently Sunday's 5-0 drubbing by Brighton - makes this week a crucial one in determining his future.

Sage has won just two of his opening seven Premier League games in charge, while the 17 goals they have conceded is the most in the league.

But there is a degree of sympathy from some behind the scenes at Selhurst Park that the Frenchman has been dealt a difficult hand.

Injuries have not been kind, while the absence of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr - due to a mixture of fitness and personal issues, related to both players' desire to leave the club - has not helped the start of his reign.

Co-owner and chairman Steve Parish is not one to act on impulse. He resisted the temptation to act when Glasner publicly criticised the club's board for "abandoning" the team after the decision to sell Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January.

Glasner saw out his contract and added the Europa Conference League title to the FA Cup won the season before.

Not that Sage is out of the woods. With crucial games against Besiktas and Newcastle on the horizon, further poor results will leave Parish with a decision to make.

Some figures close to Palace believe the writing is already on the wall and, when the right replacement is in place, his short tenure will come to an end.

Read more from Sami on the story

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After Sunday's heavy defeat by Brighton, Crystal Palace fan Ollie Thomas says a change in formation should be the first priority to turn the club's fortunes around this season.

"Unless we can fix the defensive issues, I think we'll be in a relegation battle," he said.

"An easy start, for me, is to ditch the three at the back and go three in midfield to shore that up.

"Our back five is undercooked and the recruitment in the summer wasn't good enough. They are so exposed. Why we are exposing our weakest part of the pitch in every single game is totally beyond me."

Do you agree that the formation is the team's biggest issue, or does something else need to change?

Let us know here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Brighton and Crystal Palace.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Kevin: Watching the game at home with my son, Josh, who commented, "blimey, it's like watching Barcelona". Summed it up rather well, I thought!

Alexander: What a time to be a Brighton fan. I'm one of only about 30 fans in our Scandinavian Brighton group on Facebook, but we are all ecstatic about this win. Surely only a matter of time until the continued success we are seeing will help grow the fanbase across Europe.

Mike: Electric. They chased down every ball - just like they did against Arsenal. A pure team performance.

Steve: Early days, but Fabian Hurzeler has the magic touch that the players are buying into. People are saying our squad depth will be a problem with Europe as well, but if he rotates properly and keeps everyone happy, this could be a defining season for Brighton. Hurzeler has his head screwed on. He won't be tempted by Manchester United yet, not while he's building something so special at Brighton. Tony Bloom recruits the right players, under the right manager, who plays the right system. Round pegs in round holes. It's brilliant and simple. Data analysis at its best.

Crystal Palace fans

Darren: The chickens have definitely come home to roost. Too many games, too many chances given to the opposition. We lack any defensive shape, and I'm sorry, but that's poor coaching. Pierre Sage needs to sort it out - quickly!

Ray: I feared we would be candidates for relegation right at the start of the season. Bad attitude in the camp where everyone half decent has been looking for a move away.

Terry: Sage needs more time, but Sunday and midweek is exactly why you cannot sell your two best centre-backs and not replace them with any experience or quality when you play a back three.

Adrian: Proper shocking. Sage has to change tactics and formation. We always give up an early chance. The defence is disorganised and the midfield needs help. We need leaders to grit their teeth and get about the opposition, and soon.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage said he felt "shame" about his side's performance during their 5-0 thrashing by Brighton - and he did not know whether he would be given time to save his job.

The Eagles conceded three times in the opening 10 minutes as they suffered their worst loss to their rivals since January 1956.

"It is my fault because I am the coach," said the Frenchman. "I give the motivation. I prepare the situations. We played so bad, it is my fault.

"It is difficult to summarise because there are a lot of negative points.

"But I prepare the team, so that's why I am responsible for what's happened on the pitch. I have a lot of work to do because I have to change this kind of thing."

When asked if he will get time to turn Crystal Palace's poor form around, he replied: "I don't know."

Sage has had a tough start at Selhurst Park, after guiding Lens to the French Cup and second in Ligue 1 last season.

The Eagles are 14th in the Premier League, with two wins from seven games, but their 17 goals conceded is the most in the top flight.

"I just want to apologise to the fans," Sage added. "We weren't at the level we expected and I'm really sorry for that because I know how important it is for them."

Read the full article here