Pierre Sage blames lost 15 minutes as Palace pressure mounts

Pierre Sage said a 15‑minute lapse after the break cost Crystal Palace the match, which they lost 2‑0 at home to Newcastle. “We missed 15 minutes when we came back from the dressing room,” the Frenchman added. “When you let your opponent take the initiative without pressure, without reply, it’s difficult.”

The south London side have now conceded 19 goals in eight Premier League games, the league’s poorest defensive record, a stark reversal from Sage’s Lens side, which boasted the second‑best defence in Ligue 1 last season. “When we concede all these goals … you can interpret that through the style of play and also how well we are playing, especially defensively,” Sage said.

The defeat has intensified scrutiny on Sage, but he maintained he is still the right manager to guide Palace forward.