Crystal Palace

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Crystal Palace fans

Jason: We created enough chances to get more from this match, but as usual failed to convert them. The team is behind in terms of coordination and understanding, i.e. playing as a team, due to lack of pre-season and ongoing transfers. It will get better, but I fear it may take a few more matches. We must get something from our next outing to Fulham!

Steve: We lack desire and talent. Some small glimpses on show, but we have an awful lot to do.

Cliff: Disappointing game. We gave the ball away too easily in midfield. Missed chances up front. New players did not impress. We need someone who can score goals.

Neil: Palace need a win to instil confidence, they lack a confident goalscorer. Another key factor is the increasing levels attainment in the league, even in the bottom half. I'm the most worried for years, the lack of investment coupled with an unproven manager. I hope I'm wrong?

Manchester City fans

Arthur: Man City were fantastic, the way they play the ball is brilliant, all the team members played well but Cherki and Haaland goals were brilliant and more signings come. Makes us so proud of you all, played superbly - well done City, you're the best.

Carl: Great performance, bit shaky to start but took control and it could have been six goals if Foden had finished them. It was nice to see him and Cherki play full games. They will only get better.

Harry: Very much a Man City performance. Remnants of Pep ball but with a lot more chaos. Tons of possession and looking a bit open at the back. It's a risky play style but can lead to brilliant match-ups like this. It was an incredibly strong performance away from home, many positives in the shape of Rayan Cherki and Haaland. Bouaddi looked excellent in his cameo, excited to see him and our academy lads going forward.

Brian: True grit and a will to win. Man City fought hard and played an attacking game to test a determined Crystal Palace defence. Man City are back to winning ways and that belief has transformed into success. Yes there will be tougher games but the message has been delivered Man City are back and back in style. The City fans are full of belief and voice.

Crystal Palace starting XI:

Dean Henderson: No chance for Manchester City's goals but demonstrated his quality with a fine save early on from Anderson, then others from Semenyo and Cherki. 7

Jaydee Convot: Did nothing wrong but ultimately Palace had no answer to Cherki. 6

Chris Richards: Good battle with Haaland, but only one player was winning that one. Should have scored with a first-half header. 6

Takehiro Tomiyasu: Solid as usual and will bring experience to the Palace ranks. 6

Anan Khalaili: No lack of effort or energy but short of end product. 6

Daichi Kamada: Busy in midfield as always but struggled to exert influence. 5

Adam Wharton: Class act. Composure, vision and a superb range of passing. At the heart of Palace's good things,although like others in the Palace ranks was eventually over-run. 7

Tyrick Mitchell: Tenacious and quick but missed a big chance to equalise with a header in the first half. 6

Eddie Nketiah: Lively early on, forcing a save from Donnarumma, but wasted a crucial opportunity early in the second half. 5

Yeremy Pino: Can be a mixed bag but offers real threat, as he showed with his splendid free-kick that went down as a Donnarumma own goal. 6

Jorgen Strand Larsen: Worked hard but lost the physical battle with Dias. Had one first-half chance but failed to convert. 5

Crystal Palace substitutes:

Evann Guessand (on 63, Strand Larsen), Gozo (on 68, Pino), McNeil (on 68, Nketiah), Disasi (on Tomiyasu 74) Mingueza (on 74, Khalaili)

Subs not used: Benitez, Munoz, Lerma, Hughes.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Palace, who gave a debut off the bench to new signing Axel Disasi, are now without a win in nine Premier League games stretching back to last season.

In the 2-0 defeat by Everton on the opening weekend they hit the woodwork twice before fading in the second half.

Against Manchester City they threatened in spells but even after pulling one goal back they conceded soon after.

This was Pierre Sage's first taste of the night-game atmosphere at Selhurst Park and while the new Palace boss saw moments of positivity from his side, the Frenchman knows the next few days could be critical to Palace's season as Tuesday's 23:00 BST transfer deadline nears.

Will they fight off late late advances for Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, who is also injured but is on Liverpool's radar?

Meanwhile, right-back Daniel Munoz started on the bench on the day he was subject of a reported £22m bid from Nottingham Forest, managed by ex-Palace boss Oliver Glasner.

Losing to big-spending Manchester City is no disgrace and there will be no alarm bells sounding with the season still so young, particularly as Palace are still adjusting to life after Glasner, who inspired their memorable FA Cup and Conference League triumphs.

But the Eagles will be anxious to end their losing start as quickly as possible, with their next three games before the first international break of the season against Fulham (away), Ipswich (home) and Leeds (away).

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage told BBC Sport: "I'm frustrated with the score. It's heavy. We gave 60-65 good minutes. It's our story for the moment. We know we're a bit late in our pre-season. It's why it was 45 minutes in the last game and 65 minutes today.

"The bad moment is the 3-1. We came back. We lost our hope in this situation. Before that we had a lot of chances which we missed. Against a team like this you need to be at your top.

"We let them put the ball in the box. We know Erling Haaland can do good things with his head.

"We had a lot of opportunities and didn't take it.

"Football is not about style, it's about efficiency. and sometimes you need the points to have confidence.

"Jean-Philippe Mateta was injured two days before the game. At the end of a session, individual work. It's crazy. Maybe we've lost him for four weeks at least."

Did you know?

• Only West Ham (14) have lost their opening home match in more Premier League seasons than Crystal Palace (13).

• Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage has seen one of his teams concede four goals in a game for just the second time in his managerial career, previously losing 4-1 with Lyon to PSG in April 2024.

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 Manchester City's display?

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

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace welcome Manchester City to Selhurst Park on Friday night against the backdrop of a potential exit for their star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

A 2-0 defeat away at Everton in his opening game was not the start new head coach Pierre Sage was looking for, and the result was compounded by news of a contract row involving his fellow Frenchman, while last season's top scorer Ismail Sarr is on Liverpool's radar.

Mateta believes the one-year contract extension triggered by the club last season is invalid. Palace fans did not take kindly to his wantaway antics earlier this year, and although his winner in May's Conference League triumph over Rayo Vallecano went some way to making amends, he is unlikely to be forgiven a second time.

Sage advice

Sage said on Wednesday: "I think he will stay… he has the behaviour of someone who is happy to be here, who wants to be here and is prepared to be here all season. I have no doubt about that."

Mateta missed two big chances in the first half against Everton, and Palace's profligacy in front of goal has been a cause of concern for some time now. The Eagles were the biggest xG underperformers in the Premier League last season.

It's a problem that blighted their rollercoaster 2025-26 season under Oliver Glasner, which started and ended with a trophy lift but was permeated by some dreadful league form.

Among the ever-present teams in the division, no-one has fared worse over the past eight league games (straddling the two seasons).

Guehi makes his Marc in midfield

After failing to lay a glove on Arsenal in the Community Shield the previous Sunday, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca got off to a winning start in the Premier League against Bournemouth last week.

The Italian surprised everyone by playing centre-back Marc Guehi in midfield, a role the England defender had played just twice before in his senior career, both times for Crystal Palace.

Since that 2-1 comeback win over the Cherries at Etihad Stadium, City have been hard at work in the transfer window. Morocco's teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi has joined from Lille for an initial £81.4m, while Savio and Nico Gonzalez have departed for surprisingly hefty fees.

Maresca has confirmed that Bouaddi is available for selection, but whether he is thrown straight into the mix, or Guehi continues to moonlight in midfield against his former employer, remains to be seen.

Guehi did a sterling job alongside Elliot Anderson against Bournemouth, missing a great chance before heading home the equaliser from a Rayan Cherki corner, and it was the Frenchman who unpicked the visitors' defence for Josko Gvardiol's stoppage-time winner too.

Cherki, on as a 63rd-minute substitute, started just one game for France at the World Cup – the chaotic third-place play-off defeat by England – but he finished last season as one of City's brightest performers.

In fact, since his arrival from Lyon last summer, Cherki has more top-flight assists from open play than any other player – including Bruno Fernandes, who in 2025-26 set a new competition record for overall assists in one season.

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace's draw is complete - Pierre Sage's side now know the eight sides they will be meeting in the Europa League's 36-club league phase.

The teams were seeded into four pots based on their results in Uefa competitions over the past five years, with pot one being the highest-ranked and pot four being the lowest-ranked.

Each club has been drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, but they can only play a maximum of two teams from one country and they cannot play against a team from their domestic league.

The Eagles will face: Real Sociedad (home), Lyon (away), Sparta Prague (home), Red Bull Salzburg (away), Lech Poznan (home), Jagiellonia (away), Hoffenheim (home), Besiktas (away).

The order of those fixtures will be announced by Uefa in due course.

League phase dates:

Matchday 1: 16/17 September 2026

Matchday 2: 15 October 2026

Matchday 3: 22 October 2026

Matchday 4: 5 November 2026

Matchday 5: 26 November 2026

Matchday 6: 10 December 2026

Matchday 7: 21 January 2027

Matchday 8: 28 January 2027

Knockout phase dates:

Knockout phase play-offs: 18 & 25 February 2027

Round of 16: 11 & 18 March 2027

Quarter-finals: 8 & 15 April 2027

Semi-finals: 29 April & 6 May 2027

Final: 26 May 2027, Frankfurt

Crystal Palace had a poor start away to Everton and it looks like there's a bit of interest from Liverpool in Ismaila Sarr.

The one thing they can't do before the end of the window is lose all the best players. But I do think they've got a goal in them.

I thought Manchester City deserved to win against Bournemouth. They were a little bit clunky with Mark Guehi playing in midfield - a penny for the thoughts of Mateo Kovacic - but now they've got the youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi, although he'll need a bit of time to adapt.

I don't think this will be a cruise for City, I think they'll be pushed, but I think they'll get over the line. Erling Haaland didn't score last weekend so I expect him to get up to the mark.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace supporter group Holmesdale Fanatics say they will "stop all organised activity" at Selhurst Park citing the sanitisation of football as key in their decision.

The group - founded in 2005 - play a significant part in generating the atmosphere and visual impacts such as flags and Tifos for Eagles fixtures.

In a lengthy statement explaining the move, the group said "genuine" fans are no longer prioritised by clubs.

They said: "Increasingly driven out by sky high ticket prices, needless restrictions that are designed to strip away the dignity of supporters, and relentless harassment and legal action, many young people are choosing to opt out of a game that seems determined to push them away."

Holmesdale Fanatics said it was "proud" for all that has been achieved but warned the "current setup is unsustainable" at Selhurst Park.

"We have repeatedly warned the club that likeminded fans cannot congregate at Palace in the numbers required to sustain a growing active supporter culture," they added.

"The conditions are simply not there. While we have seen some of the best atmospheres at Selhurst since the group's formation during our time in block E, it has been a mixed picture in the stands as expectation has grown after more than a decade playing at the highest level.

"There needs to be a drastic shift at Palace towards younger fans and a move away from a culture in which people attend the ground expecting to be entertained, towards a culture of supporters turning up to play an active role in influencing the result.

"The story away from home is even more dire. In domestic away fixtures, supporters are banned from bringing materials into stadiums, coaches are regularly stopped, and fans are arrested. Away ends across the country are increasingly dominated by older fans, with the next generation failing to come through in significant numbers.

"Given these conditions, we have immense pride in all the group has achieved over the past 20 years. From being at the heart of the protests that rescued the club in 2010, to securing the away ticket price cap that has saved working class people millions and supporting the club through a record breaking period, the Holmesdale Fanatics has helped write a chapter in the club's history that many did not believe was possible.

"But now is the time for us to recognise we have taken the Holmesdale Fanatics as far as it can go in the current climate. We are therefore choosing to stop all organised activity as the Holmesdale Fanatics inside the stadium. We do not take this decision lightly."

Nottingham Forest have made an offer worth up to £22m for Crystal Palace wing-back Daniel Munoz. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

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The draw for the Carabao Cup third round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

The matches will be played in the weeks commencing September 7 and September 14.

• Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough

• Manchester United v Brighton

• Manchester City v Norwich City

• Sunderland v Hull City

• Ipswich Town v Arsenal

• Coventry City v Aston Villa

• Bournemouth vLincoln City

• Liverpool v Tottenham

• Chelsea or Luton Townv Leeds

• Millwall v Newcastle United

• Everton v Wolves

• Reading v Brentford

• West Ham v Fulham or AFC Wimbledon

Read more and see the full draw

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on what other business needs to be completed at Crystal Palace before the end of the transfer window, after the loan signing of Axel Disasi was announced earlier on Wednesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Kevin: Getting Axel Disasi in should help bolster the defence, having lost Guehi and Lacroix in the past two windows and Chadi Riad out injured again. Imperative we do not lose any further players, especially Adam Wharton. Jean-Philippe Mateta hankering to leave could still be a problem this transfer window. While we have some cover with Eddie Nketiah and Jorgen Strand Larsen, either could come good after injuries and taking time to adapt to new club. If JP goes we may have to rely on U21s to cover forwards in squad as I can't see financially viable, cost-effective options available elsewhere. Europa League games to come and possibly cup runs too could mean between 50-60 matches. Palace need to look forward 8-10+ months ahead, not simply just this week.

Adam: Definitely another centre-back and fingers crossed we keep Sarr. I'll help pack Mateta's bag.

John: Mateta and Sarr to go and bring goalscoring capability to replace - be brave.

Steve: Simple. Sort out Mateta and Sarr situations and if we're getting rid, replace them both and soon. Delap would've been good but look like we've missed out there. Bowen to replace Sarr.

Andy: We need attacking players who will increase our goals-to-chances ratio. Too many near misses.

Pedro: If we lose Sarr, Mateta and Wharton we're in trouble. Buying cheaper, younger prospects to replace the older players is understandable, but dangerous. A second hand car salesman's mentality. There may well be panic on the streets of South London! Relegation calling?

Peter: Until the window closes, essential we don't lose any more first-team players.

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Manchester City at Selhurst Park (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ismaila Sarr has a groin injury and will miss the match. Sage said: "We'll prepare him - he needs time. I thought it would be quicker, but I am not medical [staff] - that's why I wait for him, and we'll prepare him to come back with us."

• Chadi Riad, who was substituted off injured in the 2-0 loss to Everton, is seeking "specialist" advice - the French boss did not confirm a return date.

• Axel Disasi's season-long loan to Palace is "good news" for his side, as Sage expects Riad to be sidelined. On Disasi, Sage added: "He is ready. He had his first session with us today. We will see if he's able to play on Friday. He didn't play in collective conditions during the beginning of the season, but he's a football player and we have the opportunity to help him with time to come in to the team."

• Although striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, Sage expects the France international to stay at the club. "I don't see a player who has a problem with the club or with us," said Sage. "That's why he played the last game as a starter. Imagine if you have a problem with us, he would not play as a starter."

• Sarr has also been linked with a move away from the club, but Sage said he has "no problem" with the 28-year-old: "For the moment, he is with us. He is under contract. He is injured, and maybe you can make a link with his injury and the situation. For me, he is honest, and I have no problem with that."

• On his first game as boss at Selhurst Park: "I think it will be a wonderful moment, but I prefer to have a wonderful moment at the end of the game. OK, they [supporters] will be happy to see us, but I think they will be happy to see us win."

Follow all of Wednesday's Premier League news conferences and transfer latest

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Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of defender Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea for the 2026-27 season.

The 28-year-old centre-back joined the Blues in 2023 and has since spent time on loan at Aston Villa and West Ham.

He has made 58 Premier League appearances for the three clubs and has five senior caps for France.

On the move, Disasi said: "I'm very happy. The club has been going in a very good direction, so I think it was the right place for me to keep going.

"I know that it's very tough to play against Palace at Selhurst Park - so I'm looking forward to being on the other side now."

Disasi is the club's seventh signing of the summer under new manager Pierre Sage as he reshapes the squad.

Palace chairman Steve Parish added: "We are pleased welcome a defender of Axel's experience and calibre to Palace for the season. I look forward to seeing him in action at Selhurst Park."

Palace fans - with the Disasi deal done, what other business does the club need to do before the window shuts?

Get in touch with your views

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Premier League history was made before a ball was even kicked this season as a record nine clubs started the campaign with new managers.

The post-Oliver Glasner era has begun at Crystal Palace under Pierre Sage, who led Ligue 1 side Lens to their first French Cup last season before agreeing to take over at Selhurst Park.

So how did he fare on an eventful first weekend of the 2026-27 campaign?

It was a disappointing start for the highly regarded Sage, who did such an outstanding job at Lens, with defeat at Everton - but he also knows the outcome could have been a much more satisfactory one.

Palace's second-half display will have disappointed him, but they had chances in the opening period to set up their first win at Everton since 2014.

They hit the woodwork twice, while Jean-Phillipe Mateta was wasteful, meaning Sage and his team paid a heavy price.

Sage's unhappy opening weekend will not have been helped by a contract row surrounding striker Mateta, which puts his future in question, while he will also want more numbers and quality to add to his squad.

Next up is Manchester City at Selhurst Park, where Sage will sample the superb night game atmosphere as he searches for his first league win. It is no easy task.

Read Phil's thoughts on how the rest of the new faces fared here

Aston Villa have made an offer for Crystal Palace and France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 29, although it falls well below the London club's valuation. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Leeds United and Crystal Palace have registered an interest in Evertonand Ireland defender Jake O'Brien, 25. (Football insider), external

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

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