Pierre Sage earned his first points as Crystal Palace manager in a chaotic 3-2 victory at Fulham on Saturday, but immediately demanded defensive improvement. The win moved Palace to 13th in the Premier League with three points from three games, a record of one win and two losses. nytimes.com first reported the story.
Why was the win at Fulham so chaotic?
Crystal Palace's attacking intent under their new manager was clear, but it came at a significant cost. They conceded 68 touches in their own penalty area, the highest figure for the club since January 2020. For context, their Premier League average last season was just 25.4 touches in their box per game. Fulham managed 25 shots to Palace's 10, highlighting a severe imbalance. The Athletic reported that both of Fulham's goals were answered with equalisers, with all three Palace goals bizarrely coming from left wing-backs Tyrick Mitchell, who scored twice, and Ben Chilwell, who netted the winner.
This follows a worrying trend, as the club has now conceded eight goals in three league matches this season. Their goal difference stands at minus four. "I have to accept the story of today," Sage said after the match. "But you can change things to improve the defending because we are too open and not coordinated."
How does Pierre Sage want to change Crystal Palace's approach?
The French manager is seeking what he calls a 'happy medium' on the risk-reward scale. This represents a dramatic shift from the club's recent history, which was built on hiring defence-first managers like Roy Hodgson. Sage has flipped that approach, prioritising attacking play. He believes players like Yeremy Pino and Daichi Kamada will thrive in this system. However, he acknowledges the current setup is unsustainable. "It’s not only about balance but about efficiency," Sage explained. "Our two No 6s didn’t touch the ball in the first half; that’s why there was a problem with our play."
His preference is for a 'stable' side with a consistent starting eleven, a challenge given the influx of new players. Crystal Palace made 11 new signings this summer, with four arriving on transfer deadline day alone. The international break later this month will provide a important chance for further integration on the training ground.
What is Crystal Palace's current situation?
The squad is dealing with several absences as they prepare for their next match. Chadi Riad, Ismaïla Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Honest Ahanor are all currently sidelined, which complicates team selection. You can view the full list of unavailable players on the club's injuries page.
Despite the victory, the table shows Palace are six points behind early leaders Manchester City. Their immediate focus turns to a home fixture against Ipswich Town on September 12th. Ipswich currently sit 14th, making it a key early-season encounter. Fans can check the full fixtures schedule for the rest of the campaign. The team will hope their new signings settle quickly and that Sage can implement the defensive coordination he craves before that match at Selhurst Park.
