Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League opener against Polish side Lech Poznan at Selhurst Park (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Pierre Sage confirmed both Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah have trained with the team this week, are "in shape" and "could be in the team" tomorrow night. Sarr - who was linked with a move away over the summer - is yet to feature under Sage after struggling with a groin problem, while Nketiah has missed the Eagles' past two games through injury.

• On Jean-Philippe Mateta and Dean Henderson, who have both been absent recently with respective injuries: "I hope it will be after the international break. With long injuries, there's more or less days. That's why we hope and we will see."

• More on last season's top scorer Sarr and his return to fitness: "I think the situation is behind him now. He looks normal and we will see on the pitch during the competitive games. I think his idea is to make a big season for us."

• Sage was asked about defender Jaydee Canvot's reaction to being left out of the squad for last weekend's defeat by Ipswich: "During this week it was really clear that the message is clear."

• On reports the board were unhappy with the decision to leave Canvot out for tactical reasons and the way Sage dealt with the situation: "It's a story, it's non official. If you want to have the right word about that ask Steve Parish. I spoke with him a few days ago about that and there is no problem. I have always a position to explain my decisions, positive and negative. Sometimes they react but they are in line with this position."

• Although goalkeeper Henderson will remain sidelined for Thursday's game, he signed a new Palace deal until 2030 on Wednesday, with Sage saying on the news: "We are really happy for us, we are really happy for him – it's a long-term contract for our captain. For the moment he is injured, but he showed us during his first games that he's really important for the team and we hope he'll come back quickly, because he's really important in the dressing room too. That's why it's good news."

• More on his captain's importance to the squad: "As a player, he's a really good goalkeeper, and as a man he has good leadership, he's positive, and he's always with his teammates. That's why it's really important to have him. But we have to consider him with the other goalkeepers, because they do a good job altogether. If his level is high, it's because his teammates' is too."

• On Thursday's opponents: "We watched seven of Lech's matches this season. We know they started quite early and had to pick themselves up after the defeat in the Champions League qualifiers. It's never easy. I see a team that's developing from match to match. We need to stay very focused so as not to get caught off guard."

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Crystal Palace goalkeeper and captain Dean Henderson says "my best years are in front of me" after signing a new deal with the club until 2030.

The 29-year-old has made 119 appearances the since arriving at Selhurst Park from Manchester United in August 2023.

The shotstopper has been a key part of the Eagles' recent success, saving the penalty that kept the side in front against Manchester City in May 2025's FA Cup final, and wearing the armband throughout the Uefa Conference League knockout stages last season as the club went on to lift the trophy in Leipzig.

Henderson told the club's website: "I'm delighted. It's been an amazing three years – and I'm just so happy to extend my contract. My best years are in front of me and I'm happy to be giving that to Crystal Palace."

Chairman Steve Parish added: "As well as being an outstanding goalkeeper, Dean is our captain and leader and I'm absolutely delighted that he has extended his contract at Crystal Palace. Here's to even more successful years ahead."

Crystal Palace are aiming to tie goalkeeper Dean Henderson to a new contract. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town.

Here are some of your comments:

Palace fans

Jason: We started off on the right foot, looking the best we've played so far this season. But, the sending off was a poor mistake, and needless to make such a challenge in that part of the field. Followed by poor defending, leaving players unmarked in the box, it was too easy for Ipswich to score. We battled well with 10 men, and good to see Jorgen Strand Larsen score again - that could/should have salvaged a draw. Lots of work to do to tighten up defensively. Going forward, I think we'll be OK and will naturally improve.

Les: Usual rubbish. It's difficult to blame the manager when a handful of players came in before deadline day and are expected to perform when they don't know each other. Sage needs to sort this out quickly or relegation is looming.

Jezza: Absolute dross. Please send that Chelsea reject back and immediately. I don't blame Sage, the blame lays firmly at the door of Parish. You can't sell your best assets (cheaply) and expect everything to be rosy. Going down. Simples!

Sean: Where do you start? No cohesion. No unity. No understanding between defensive players. At 1-0 we were coasting, only to once again shoot ourselves in the foot. Also, Sage's continued public criticism of some players is starting look unprofessional.

Ipswich fans

Chris: Ipswich controlled parts of the game and deserved win over the 90 minutes. Defence is still really poor and the goalkeeper is nowhere near good enough for the Premier League, Scherpen almost gave Palace a gift early on with a wayward clearance - terrible. We are letting in way too many easy goals and goalkeeper HAS to go.

Roddy: Good all-round performance against a Palace side slightly all at sea, despite their magnificent support. However, we made it hard for ourselves by not wrapping up the game with the five or six chances we had early in the second half when we continued to dominate. A win is a win, though, so three points from a game we might have only budgeted for one.

Jamie: Couldn't be happier getting a last-minute winner. We were against 10 men but we are still a new team and this is massive for us. Everyone has written us off but this is different to last time. I do believe we will stay up.

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

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

What did you make of Ipswich's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

In Oliver Glasner's final season in charge of Crystal Palace, his side won just 21 of their 45 points in the Premier League at their beloved Selhurst Park.

Their underwhelming form in south London appears to be continuing under Sage, who has already lost his first two league matches at the ground.

They did cruise past Championship side Middlesbrough at home in the League Cup on Tuesday, but defeat against Ipswich means Palace have earned just 11 points at home in 2026. Tottenham Hotspur are the only ever-present Premier League side to have earned less.

In difficult times, managers often call on their club's home support to give their players an extra nudge of motivation on the pitch by creating a better atmosphere.

If Pierre Sage decides to issue a similar plea to the Palace supporters, it may prove difficult given that the Holmesdale Fanatics - a fan group who are key to the atmosphere at Selhurst Park - have decided to stop all activity in the ground in recent weeks, saying "genuine" fans are no longer prioritised by clubs.

Up next at Selhurst Park is Thursday's Europa League match against Lech Poznan, before they host Nottingham Forest after the international break.

Can the players and supporters rally to overcome a disappointing start to the campaign?

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It's difficult when you play 10 v 11 - but I think we did well with that because we reorganised in a 5-3-1 and we didn't allow them too much space.

"We made a mistake before half-time. In the end we came back in the game by playing and being together. We had the opportunity to make it 3-2 and we missed. I am frustrated for the players because they gave a lot and deserved at least a point."

Did you know?

• Crystal Palace have lost both of their opening two home games of a Premier League season for the first time since 2018-19, while only Tottenham Hotspur (prior to Everton game) and Newcastle United (both 22) have conceded more home goals than the Eagles this calendar year (19).

• Axel Disasi received his first red card in the Premier League, while he is just the second player to be dismissed on his very first home start for Crystal Palace in the competition - after Jamie Smith vs Aston Villa in November 1997.

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth v Brentford

• Chelsea v Hull City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town

• Liverpool v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Everton (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Arsenal (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Hull City" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.

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Crystal Palace picked up their first win under Pierre Sage last weekend, which was really important for them.

They have still got goals in their team, as they showed against Fulham, but it was quite an open game and they always look like they will concede a few too.

I covered Ipswich's defeat by Liverpool and what worries me a little bit is the way their manager, Gary O'Neil, saw that game.

He was overly positive about his team's performance and, while I know why he is doing it, you can't mask that they didn't match Liverpool and they were not creative enough in the final third either - I don't remember Alisson having to make a save of note.

This feels like an important game for Ipswich after two successive defeats but I don't know why I am thinking they will get a point because that's not going to happen, is it?

My first thought was that they will grind out a draw, but I've changed my mind and am going with Palace to take the points at home.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's match between Crystal Palace and Ipswich (15:00 BST), with newly promoted Town hoping to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Mitchell making his mark

Crystal Palace earned their first Premier League win under Pierre Sage by beating Fulham 3-2 last weekend, but the head coach was notably magnanimous afterwards, admitting he was "disappointed for the other team and the coach, they had opportunities too".

He was at it again following Tuesday's Carabao Cup win over Middlesbrough when, as against the Cottagers, Palace prevailed despite their opponents having significantly more possession. Sage stressed Boro were "a really good team", adding: "I want to congratulate them – the score is for us, but they played well."

The next target for the fair-minded Frenchman is to help his side secure back-to-back top-flight wins for the first time this calendar year.

The Eagles' defence has not particularly shone of late, conceding two or more goals in nine consecutive league matches, an unwanted club record. But defenders were the heroes at Craven Cottage, with wing-back Tyrick Mitchell scoring the first double of his career and his second-half replacement, Ben Chilwell, hitting the winner.

Mitchell often had to rein in his forward runs under Oliver Glasner, with the buccaneering Daniel Munoz providing more of an attacking outlet on the opposite flank.

But with the Colombian having followed Glasner to Nottingham Forest, Mitchell appears to have greater licence to push up the pitch and has registered 10 touches in the opposition box, the joint most among Premier League defenders this season.

Tractor Boys seek to cut out mistakes

After marking their Premier League return with a morale-boosting opening-weekend win over Sunderland, Ipswich have been brought back down to earth, perhaps predictably, by defeats against Manchester United and Liverpool.

But the Blues' first-half performance at Old Trafford and second-half display against the Merseysiders provided crumbs of comfort for Gary O'Neil. The Town boss, who took over in June, insisted there "were a lot of very good signs" in his side's response after conceding twice in the opening nine minutes against Liverpool.

However, O'Neil admits the defensive mistakes Town have made in their past two games must be tidied up, warning that they can "kill" a side's Premier League prospects.

That was certainly the case when Ipswich were relegated in 2024-25, and the Portman Road side have now gone 22 top-flight matches without a clean sheet, conceding 57 goals during that run.

Captain Dara O'Shea played every minute at centre-back in the Championship last season, but has been deployed at right-back this term following the arrival of Issa Diop. The Irishman said this week that he has no problem playing on the right, but if the Blues continue to leak goals, O'Neil may have to consider restoring him to his preferred position.

Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah is considering switching his international allegiance from England to Ghana. (The Standard, external)

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Sophie Trifonoff
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town at Selhurst Park (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Midfielder Cheick Doucoure is in contention to be part of this weekend's squad. "Cheick trained yesterday and this morning. All will be good for him. He is a little ill, but he's fine."

• On Ismaila Sarr: "It's the same situation. He's not with the team for the moment. I thought he could be with us in training on Monday, but it was not the case. We expect him next Monday to start training with the first team. We want him on the pitch."

• Sage also confirmed that Jean-Philippe Mateta remains unavailable to face Ipswich.

• On the team spirit, he said: "We need to be together in this moment and we have to fight every weekend. Without the team spirit we can't do anything and I think that's in line with the will of the fans."

• On the potential challenges posed by Ipswich, he said: "We want to improve but we have to manage when we lose the ball with counter-pressing and I think it will be a good test for us."

Got a question about Palace? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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The Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.

Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.

The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.

Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.

A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.

The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.

The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.

Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.

The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.

Premier League Christmas and New Year schedule

Saturday, 26 December

12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds

15:00 Everton v Sunderland

15:00 Fulham v Brighton

15:00 Ipswich v Brentford

15:00 Spurs v AFC Bournemouth

17:30 Hull v Liverpool

20:00 Newcastle v Manchester City

Sunday, 27 December

14:00 Coventry v Chelsea

16:30 Manchester Utd v Nottingham Forest

19:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Tuesday, 29 December

19:30 Hull v Leeds

19:30 Spurs v Brighton

20:15 Everton v Manchester City

Wednesday, 30 December

19:30 Coventry v Brentford

19:30 Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Fulham v Arsenal

19:30 Manchester United v Sunderland

19:30 Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

20:15 Aston Villa v Liverpool

20:15 Ipswich v Chelsea

Friday, 1 January

20:00 Leeds v Everton

Saturday, 2 January

12:30 Brighton v Manchester United

15:00 Arsenal v Ipswich

15:00 Brentford v Crystal Palace

15:00 Liverpool v Coventry

15:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham

15:00 Sunderland v Hull

17:30 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Sunday, 3 January

14:00 Chelsea v Newcastle

16:30 Manchester City v Spurs

Tuesday, 5 January

19:30 Arsenal v Brentford

19:30 Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Everton v Aston Villa

19:30 Nottingham Forest v Hull

20:15 Sunderland v Liverpool

Wednesday, 6 January

19:30 Crystal Palace v Chelsea

19:30 Fulham v Spurs

19:30 Ipswich v Coventry

20:15 Leeds v Manchester City

Thursday, 7 January

20:00 Manchester United v Newcastle

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Crystal Palace's 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: Was at Selhurst Park and honestly we weren't great. Looked disjointed and clearly a team not used to playing together. Looked better when Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada came on and controlled midfield better. Jorgen Strand-Larsen took his goals well. Kamada's was a peach. We're through but need to gel and improve.

Steve: Pierre Sage is still searching for the right combination of players. 'Boro dominated the first half, but lacked penetration. Palace's midfield was non-existent and allowed 'Boro acres of room to progress to the edge of the Palace box. Much improved in the second half, and two excellent goals sealed the deal. But, still so much to be done.

Andy: Job done. Very obvious though we had a team of new faces who haven't played together much, but some good individual performances particularly 18-year-old Honest Ahanor at the back. Also bear in mind 'Boro are more games into the season so, overall a decent result.

Keith: Same as Saturday, OK going forward and some good support play, but a better team would have torn us apart. So much bad control and misplaced passes. Congrats boys for the win but need some more gel.

Gary: I think we all can see something special building under Sage. No big names, but a squad capable of doing great things in the league and cups.

Al: Professional performance with some stand-out performances. Ahonar looked assured and he's only 18-years-old. Debuts for three who all did us proud. The team are starting to get the Pierre Sage ideas.

Josh: Strand-Larsen is my favourite player ever right now and this game has shown why. He was versatile, all over the defence and got two great goals. Kamada the same.

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage, speaking at his post-match news conference after Tuesday's 3-0 Carabao Cup third round win over Middlesbrough:

"I think we didn't play well at the beginning of the game.

"We started to play when we scored the first goal. It was a good collective action. We controlled the ball at this moment. At the end we scored. That's a good sign.

"During the first-half, I was not very happy with our way of defending. We struggled when they played between our lines. But we corrected this kind of thing during half-time. It was better in the second-half.

"At the end, today, we had the score. We didn't have possession. But they [Middlesbrough] are a good team. It's really a good team. I want to congratulate them. The score is for us, but they played well. It's like this.

"It's always special to analyse the game in the cup, because both teams made eight rotations in the starting XI. At the end, they played well – better than us during the first-half.

"It's unconscious, but I think the players are more relaxed in this kind of game. During the game, they understood they need to do more. It's a good thing they are aware of that.

"I think during half-time, they understood that we are able to play. We don't have to be afraid to play, because it's only football and we have the quality to do it."

On striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who scored twice: "It's always a good problem when a player performs and the others have to move them – because a coach always likes this. He always wants to have the better of the moment.

"It's a good thing for the others, because they don't have to give up. They have to give their best too. Sometimes, this kind of situation has a good effect on every player.

"I think it's the same for every position. You spoke about the striker, but I think it's the same for every position.

"I think he will be able to start [against Ipswich], but we will see what happens, because Eddie Nketiah will be able to train maybe tomorrow or after tomorrow."

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

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies.

There are five games in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Lincoln City

• Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Leyton Orient v Bradford City

• Sunderland v Hull City

• Millwall v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live EFL Cup commentary on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Crystal Palace match".

There's also Champions League action happening on Tuesday - follow those games here

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

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New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

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We asked for your views on whether defending is a problem for Crystal Palace and whether you will be happy with two wins from four in the Premier League if Pierre Sage's side beat Ipswich on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: Defence is very much a concern. The Premier League looks to contain more teams who could capitalise on that and, as we know, three consecutive draws or defeats can have as great an impact on position in table (and confidence) as three consecutive wins. Sage has hard work ahead of him.

David: We have a very bad problem at the back. Some players just run back and stand and watch. It's been a problem under the old manager as well as the new one. We have sold the best ones in defence and kept the status.

Mike: It's easy to get euphoric about an away win but two more goals conceded in a game shows how poor our defence is - and at the opposite end, no goals from our strikers. Yet again, it all adds up to a poor season ahead, with relegation a real possibility.

Andy: Players are working under a new manager with changes to what really is a back five. When they work well it is good, but we give the ball away too easily at the moment when we build from the back and, as we saw against, Manchester City have been made to pay. We need to be more clinical with our passing from the back and that could well improve our final ball in attack too.

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage said it was "a sports decision" to drop Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand from the matchday squad in the 3-2 victory over Fulham.

"Sometimes players have to be shaken to come back and regain their level," said Sage.

Both players were substituted on in the 4-1 loss to Manchester City the previous week, but failed to have an impact on the game.

Sage said: "At the end, it's only one game. With a few games, everybody is excited with the situation – what's happened? Is there a problem? Or something like this.

"It's like this - they just have to take the information, to change things during the session, because they have the opportunity to show every week, and maybe they will come back with us on Tuesday."

Palace are next in action on Tuesday when they welcome Championship side Middlesbrough to Selhurst Park in the third round of the Carabao Cup (kick-off 19:45 BST).

Listen to full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 and BBC Sounds