Crystal Palace

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

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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 v Lincoln City

• Liverpool v Tottenham

• Chelsea or Luton Town v 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

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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

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

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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 Everton and Ireland defender Jake O'Brien, 25. (Football insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

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The third-round draw for the 2026-27 Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday, 26 August following the conclusion of Preston North End vs Everton.

Nine Premier League clubs taking part in European football join the 23 first-round winners from across the English Football League.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton and Crystal Palace will enter the competition at this stage, as the top eight Premier League clubs from the 2025-26 season plus Crystal Palace as Conference League winners.

It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports following the conclusion of the third round tie between Preston North End and Everton, kicking off at 20:00 BST.

Unlike the opening two rounds of the competition, the third round draw is not regionalised.

However, before the match at Deepdale there will be a pre-draw determining which of the Champions League and Europa League clubs will play at home or away in round three.

In order to avoid potential scheduling issues, the eight Champions League and Europa League clubs cannot be drawn against each other in round three.

When the draw takes place, the first eight fixtures decided are the ones involving clubs in the Champions League and Europa League. The remainder of the draw will be an open draw as usual.

Due to clashes with opening weeks of the Champions League and Europa League seasons, the third round will be played across two different weeks. They are the weeks commencing Monday, 7 and Monday, 14 September, 2026.

Alex Howell
Football reporter

There has been a lot of change at Palace with the loss of Maxence Lacroix and a new manager starting the season in Pierre Sage.

The Eagles have been building depth for their Europa League campaign but still need a few bodies in the building.

Sage has made clear he wants a senior centre-back and Palace could be pushed to sign another defender too after the injury to Chadi Riad in the first game of the Premier League season against Everton.

Ollie Thomas, Crystal Palace fan

Riad's injury has amplified the need for another centre-back who is first-team ready.

Axel Disasi is a good start, but a bigger, permanent move would be great. That, plus a central midfielder, and we are set.

What business do you think still needs to get done before 23:00 BST on 1 September?

Get in touch with your views here

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Despite his efforts to prove otherwise, Jean-Philippe Mateta still has 10 months left on his contract.

That is significant for a number of reasons.

It means if Crystal Palace are to recoup any money in transfer fees for the striker before he is eligible to sign a Bosman pre-contract with an overseas club in January, then this window provides their last opportunity to do so.

That fact will not be lost on those at Selhurst Park and there is a view from some at the club that they should look to sever ties in the coming days.

But with Mateta less than 12 months away from a free transfer, which would most probably be more financially lucrative for him than leaving for a fee this month, it would be understandable if the 29-year-old was not rushing out of the exit door.

Palace have attempted to renew Mateta's contract over the past the 12 months but to no avail.

And while the option of an extension cannot be completely discounted, it seems inconceivable that Mateta would perform a U-turn now given the lengths he has gone to to try to prove his current one is invalid.

Palace are likely to, at the very least, listen to offers for Mateta, who - by his actions - has indicated he views his future away from Selhurst Park.

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

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Thomas: Hard to have any complaints, we scored two and on another day could have scored more. Solid performances across the board but I'd like to see us recruit a proper right back, then my optimism will be in full swing.

William: A nervous start but our first win which will boost our team and they look like they believe in getting the result in their new home. Onwards and upwards after a great result.

Chris: Things beginning to look ever so slightly positive. When everyone's fit the midfield options are there.

Dusty: A few lucky moments with Palace hitting the woodwork, but overall a solid performance. I have faith in Moyes and feel we can give most teams a game. A good signing or two could really boost an already great start to the season.

Harry: Great to be back and especially getting three points. Palace were unlucky not to go ahead and there were lessons to be learned for our defence! Barry will get a lot of confidence from scoring and Armstrong will get better as the season develops. All we need now is a new manager to inspire them.

Crystal Palace fans

Steve: An inability to put the ball in the back of the net continues. Palace cannot just depend upon one man - Sarr! The midfield has to chip in on a regular basis. Palace should have been two or three up in the first half.

Bob: Welcome to the Premier League Pierre Sage. It will be an uphill struggle right from the start as uncertainty around our squad continues. Sarr could also be leaving us and there's a legal battle going on about Mateta's contract. I really wish that the transfer window closes before the start of the season. As it is now there's even more chance of losing key players. At least there was a little consolation today.

Freddie: The unlucky streak at Everton continues. Another promising start, only to be punished for not taking our chances. It was encouraging to see a glimpse of what life after Glasner could look like under Sage, with some positive, attacking football. Nothing to worry about just yet, we hope!

Will: Played some nice stuff in the first half but I'm not surprised at the result in the end. With Hull and Ipswich already looking lively, and Sarr looking for a move, I have a feeling we're in for a long season.

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The contract situation with Jean-Philippe Mateta is the latest twist to what has been a rollercoaster time for the Frenchman at Crystal Palace.

The 29-year-old has become a cult hero at the Eagles because of his trademark celebration where he kicks the corner flag to shouts of "boom" from supporters, while the striker also scored the winning goal in the final as Palace won the Conference League last season.

It has not always been smooth sailing for Mateta, though.

The forward had a slow start to his Palace career but his trajectory was transformed under the guidance of former boss Oliver Glasner.

Mateta became one of the most reliable strikers in the Premier League and scored 46 goals in 109 games under the Austrian.

That form led to interest in Mateta across Europe, and the contract stand-off that has the club and the striker in the current situation.

Mateta has always been highly ambitious and made clear his desire to play for clubs at the elite level of the game, even during times early on in his Palace career when his form made it seem unlikely.

Alongside his aim to represent top clubs across Europe, Mateta has chased a place in the France national team and he achieved that goal in October last year before securing a place in the final 26-man squad for the World Cup.

When it seemed like Mateta would leave the club in January, Palace moved to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen as a replacement for a deal worth up to £48m.

The Norway striker made his debut for Crystal Palace in a win over rivals Brighton last season and fans repeatedly chanted his name in a show of support as Mateta's time at the club looked to be over.

However, Mateta failed his AC Milan medical and remained at the club, being ruled out for about two months with the issue.

He was booed by some sections of fans when he returned in the last-16 tie against AEK Larnaca in March before he turned around the fan feeling with a goal in the final of the Conference League, and he ended the season with 16 goals.

Mateta has been a key part of the most successful time in Palace's history, but the current contract stand-off threatens to leave a stain on his time at Selhurst Park.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

It was not the best opening game of the season for Crystal Palace.

Ismaila Sarr was not included in the matchday squad with new manager Pierre Sage revealing he has been struggling with an injury.

Sources have told BBC Sport Sarr did not train for two days leading into the encounter with Everton, complaining of a groin issue, amid interest from Turkish side Galatasaray.

Palace do not want to sell their star forward, who scored 21 goals last season as the Eagles won the Community Shield and the Conference League.

One source has said the interest from Galatasaray is concrete but only a bid well above market value would even be considered by Palace.

Meanwhile, defender Chadi Riad was stretchered off with a serious knee injury in the 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park.

Riad has been affected by knee injuries since joining Palace in 2024 - suffering an issue in his second game for the club. Back-to-back knee injuries meant he was absent from the squad for more than 400 days.

Wantaway players, an opening day defeat and a serious-looking knee injury. The season could not have got off to a worse start for Pierre Sage.

Sarah Mulkerrins
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Pierre Sage, welcome to the Premier League and the fine margins that can swing a game.

Looking down at the French football manager in the second half, he was rubbing his chin with his hand after making a couple of substitutions to try to rescue something from a game that started so brightly for Crystal Palace.

He's the new man in charge, but he has an old problem to solve. How to get his team to finish off the many chances they create. They were on top early on. Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eddie Nketiah and Daniel Munoz all had more than decent chances that could have easily found the net. But once Everton exerted control then the chances disappeared.

The second half saw Palace offer very little threat and Sage said "we gave up a little". They were missing the quality of their top scorer last season, Ismaila Sarr, who didn't travel amid the links with a move to Galatasaray. With the loss of Maxence Lacroix in defence, it could be a tricky debut season for Sage if more signings don't arrive before the deadline.