Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think our first half should have put us ahead, but we didn't score and then made mistakes. We have to take positives and convert into very good things.

"Sometimes you deserve but don't score. What we have to keep from the first half is how we play, but we did make easy mistakes.

"We play with the ball and can lose it under pressure, but today we lost it when not under pressure. That's something we have to cancel.

"In the second half we were with less energy. I made the substitutions because I thought we could play more dynamic, but it didn't happen. We gave up a little bit. We have to understand when it's 2-0 the game is not over."

On Chadi Riad injury: "At the moment I don't know, I hope it will be better than we think. We await the medical tests."

Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "This is a tough place to play, regardless of the stage of the season. First game of the season you can't leave chances on the table. They carried momentum in to the second half and it was an uphill battle from there."

How is the team different under Pierre Sage than under Oliver Glasner?: "Different tactics, same formation but a different way of playing. Pre-season we saw a lot of different things, new players coming in. Today was a good line in the sand regardless of the result."

What are Palace's aims this season?: "Improving on everything, in the league [last season] we dropped a bit lower than we wanted to. It would be great to win some silverware. We've got a taste for it, so it would be great to win some three years in a row."

Did you know?

• Crystal Palace have lost seven of their last 10 Premier League games against Everton (D3), their joint-most defeats against any side in the competition since 2021-22 (also 7 against Arsenal & Chelsea).

• Crystal Palace recorded an expected goals tally of 2.04, their highest in a Premier League game without scoring since December 2018 against Cardiff (2.1).

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

When the Crystal Palace players trudged off the pitch, Pierre Sage cut a deflated figure.

Saturday afternoon had provided the Frenchman with a brutal introduction to life as a Premier League manager and to the fine margins that can decide games.

On another day, perhaps one where Ismaila Sarr was available for selection, it might have been Palace who were dancing and celebrating their way back to the dressing room.

But for a number of reasons, particularly the width of the post, it was not to be for Palace or for Sage.

For all the success Palace have enjoyed over the last 12 months, winning three trophies, including the FA Cup, even the most optimistic of supporters would have been prepared for a period of transition following the exit of Oliver Glasner.

Add to that the departure of defender Maxence Lacroix and the possibility of Sarr leaving before the transfer window closes, and Palace will do well to replicate the success they enjoyed in 2025 and 2026.

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

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?

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

Alex Howell and Sami Mokbel
Football reporter and Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Ismaila Sarr is not in the Crystal Palace squad for the match against Everton after the forward complained of a groin issue amid interest from Turkish side Galatasaray.

Sources have told BBC Sport that Sarr has not trained for the last two days.

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

Before Palace's Premier League opener, Pierre Sage said: "Two days ago, I said he will play. And yesterday, we make a medical point with the doctor of the club, the player and me.

"We have chosen that he cannot play because for the moment he's not really 100 per cent. That's why we didn't want to take a risk."

One source has said that the interest from Galatasaray is concrete but the Eagles do not want to sell Sarr and only a bid well above market value would even be considered.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday as the opening weekend continues, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Hull City v Man Utd (12:30)

• Everton v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ipswich v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Nottingham Forest v Leeds

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

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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

How to follow the opening Premier League weekend across the BBC

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

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After the success Oliver Glasner had at Crystal Palace, new boss Pierre Sage has got some big shoes to fill.

Still, Palace have got some serious firepower and plenty of goals in their team, so I think they will be fine this season.

Goals are a bigger problem for Everton and again the key to their campaign probably rests on what manager David Moyes can get out of strikers Thierno Barry and Beto.

But I am sure Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will chip in too because he is a wonderful footballer and, while I do see Palace scoring, I fancy Everton to edge this.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

An Everton side who competed for the European places for much of last season begin this campaign against a Crystal Palace team playing their first Premier League game under manager Pierre Sage.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

Everton begin the new season with perhaps two main ambitions: a challenge for the European places that lasts until the end of the campaign and better form at home.

In 2025-26, the Toffees were in contention for Champions League football before failing to win any of their final seven matches.

Those fixtures included a last-gasp home defeat by rivals Liverpool and a chastening home loss to Sunderland - disappointing results indicative of wider struggles in their first campaign at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton's points-per-game tally of 1.2 at home last season was the lowest by any team to start life in a new stadium in the Premier League in the competition's history.

The need for a win in Everton's opening fixture of the new campaign is pressing for two additional reasons.

First, the Blues' past four opening matches of a Premier League season amount to a total of zero goals and zero points.

Secondly, they are at risking of failing to win in eight successive league outings for the first time in either of David Moyes' two reigns with the club.

Moyes broke his summer-long silence earlier this week to declare that Everton "need to do more" in the transfer market before it closes at the end of this month.

The Toffees have officially signed five players, although midfielder Merlin Rohl and winger Tyrique George were on loan at the club last season, while the departures of Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye have deprived Everton of more than 600 Premier League appearances' worth of experience.

One piece of business done so far was a swap with Saturday's visitors, with wingers Brennan Johnson moving to Merseyside and Dwight McNeil heading to south London.

It means that both players could make their debuts against their former club in a match between two sides who prefer to play without the ball.

Excluding the relegated teams, Everton ranked lowest (43.5%) and the Eagles third lowest (45.5%) for average possession last season, meaning a cagey contest could be expected.

Palace will be playing their first Premier League game with Sage at the helm following the departure of Oliver Glasner.

While the former Lens boss has big shoes to fill following Palace's triumphs in the FA Cup and Conference League under Glasner over the past two seasons, immediate priorities may involve rectifying a recurrent weakness.

Palace conceded 20 set-piece goals (excluding penalties) in the Premier League in 2025-26 – the joint most of any team – while conceding from set-pieces accounted for 39% of all goals that Palace let in last season, the highest ratio of any side.

Sage is attempting to become just the third Palace manager to win his opening game in the Premier League, but his tenure begins with something of a bogey fixture.

The Eagles have won just one of the last 23 Premier League meetings with Everton (D10, L12), a 3-1 home victory in December 2021. They have not won away from home against the Toffees in more than a decade.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has been given permission to visit Crystal Palace for a medical as talks progress over a season-long loan move.

Palace have emerged as the leading contenders to sign the France centre-back, 28, with all parties open to completing a deal.

Negotiations are continuing over the size of the loan fee.

For Palace, Disasi would become the club's seventh signing of the summer under new manager Pierre Sage as he reshapes the squad.

Sage begins his reign with a trip to Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are aiming to reduce their squad size from about 40 players to closer to 25 during the final 10 days of the transfer window.

Alongside Disasi, Omari Kellyman and Deivid Washington are nearing moves to partner club Strasbourg, while Benoit Badiashile has had a medical with Napoli.

Disasi spent last season on loan at West Ham, who were interested in making the deal permanent. However, an agreement could not be reached after the Hammers were relegated to the Championship.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Being a Crystal Palace fan last season must have been a frustrating experience (in the league at least) as their team missed so many chances, resulting in only the bottom two sides Wolves and Burnley scoring fewer than their 41 goals.

While they only ranked 13th for shots, Brentford were the only side to create better chances on average which gave Palace the eighth-highest expected goals figure at 58.4.

As a result, Crystal Palace scored an incredible 17 goals fewer than they should have given the number and quality of chances they had.

That doesn't just make them the worst finishers in the Premier League last season, but the worst out of all 96 teams in Europe's top five leagues.

Given that they were pretty solid at the back, if Palace had simply taken their chances at the rate of an average Premier League side, they would have been likely to finish in the top half rather than in 15th place.

France defender Axel Disasi, 28, is closing in on a loan move from Chelsea to Crystal Palace. (Sun), external

Manchester City have enquired about the availability of England midfielder Adam Wharton but their approach has been rebuffed by Crystal Palace. (Sun), external

Tottenham are eyeing a move to sign France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

In the Premier League last season, 13 of the 20 teams finished with between 40 and 60 points - the most in an English top-flight campaign since 2003-04 (also 13).

Was the Premier League so competitive in 2025-26 because the quality of the 'lesser' teams got better or the top teams got worse? It is hard to know for sure.

Given how savvy clubs like Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth are, the vast amounts of money that enable even bottom-half sides to sign the best talent from abroad and the Premier League's current dominance of the Europa League and Conference League, it would seem to be the former.

However, the fact that promoted play-off winners Sunderland were able to finish above 13 teams in their first season back suggests the league was maybe not as strong as we think.

What we do know is that whether because they got worse or their opponents got better, four of the sides that finished in the top seven in 2024-25 - champions Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest - took 79 points fewer between them last season.

While Forest's decline was perhaps expected given their incredible seventh-place finish in 2024-25 and their journey to the Europa League semi-finals last season, the others were far more surprising.

Sunderland and Leeds smashed the recent run of promoted sides struggling to compete by taking 64 more points than the teams they replaced in the top flight.

As a result, this season will be a bit of an upside-down one in that Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland have European campaigns to navigate while Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle do not.

Will we therefore see a bounce-back to the more 'traditional' order in 2026-27 or are we truly entering a new, fiercely-competitive era of the Premier League?

Read more on the Premier League's competitiveness

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League opener against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Sage said he was "very happy to begin" as the club can connect with fans again but stressed the Eagles need to "bring the best version" of themselves to "compete" against Everton.

• A "late decision" will be made on captain Dean Henderson's fitness. The goalkeeper "suffered a little twist of the ankle" against Freiburg but it is hoped he will be available.

• Sage says "everybody could play" at Hill Dickinson Stadium with no major injuries to report. He said: "I will have to make some choices, but this is the nature of the job. It is a good problem for me because when I have choices, I can anticipate a lot of scenarios and I have lots of options."

• On how the club's new signings are settling in: "They are discovering how we want to play at the moment and they are in a good position in that aspect. We are happy they are here so we can integrate them into the team now and make them Crystal Palace players."

• Sage expects "maybe one or two" more incomings before the summer transfer window closes.

• However, he explained: "We don't want to take a player who isn't for us, that's why it isn't a case of sorting it within one or two days. We have to work with these guys for the rest of the season, so sometimes it is better to wait than to take the first player that comes along."

• Crystal Palace will need a centre-back "first and foremost" after Maxence Lacroix's departure. He wants a player who has "a lot of experience in the Premier League" and is a "leader".

• When asked if that player could be Axel Disasi, who is expected to leave Chelsea this summer and has been linked with the Eagles, he replied: "It is difficult for me to speak about a player of another club. I hear the same noise as you [the media]."

• Sage did not confirm whether Manchester City have enquired about Adam Wharton's availability. Instead, he offered: "He is capable of playing at any big club, whether that is here or anywhere in Europe, but I believe one more year with us and our new dynamic will be good for him."

• He added: "We need him, that's why I think he will stay with us."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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

Alex Howell and Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Jefferson Lerma has agreed a new two-year contract with Crystal Palace.

Lerma, who joined the club in 2023, was entering the last year of his contract but has now agreed to an extension which will keep him at the club until 2028.

The 31-year-old has made 121 appearances in all competitions since he arrived at Selhurst Park following the expiration of his deal at Bournemouth.

The Colombian international has been part of the most successful period at the club and played an important role in the teams that won the FA Cup in 2025 and the Community Shield and Conference League last season.

He will provide vital experience to a Palace side who have lost leaders Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi while Lerma is also able to play both in midfield and defence and will give flexibility to new manager Pierre Sage.

Lerma has made 70 appearances for Colombia and started all five of their games at the World Cup before their exit in the Round of 16.

Last season: 15th.

This season: 11th.

Maxence Lacroix is a big loss in central defence, while the manager who inspired their FA Cup and Conference League wins, Oliver Glasner, has also gone.

In his place comes the highly regarded Pierre Sage, whose performance at Lens - where he became Ligue 1's manager of the year - was good enough to attract attention from Liverpool.

This is still a squad with class in all areas, from goalkeeper Dean Henderson through to Adam Wharton in midfield and Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr in attack.

If they can fight off any late advances for their top players, a good season lies in store - and, perhaps, another cup challenge.

• Read more of Phil's predictions

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Teams in the bottom half of the Premier League in 2025-26 finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.

Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves in 1999-2000.

The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.

However, competition has come at a cost.

One place where the Premier League has become less competitive - because it has become more fiercely-contested overall - is at the very bottom.

While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.

The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.

After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the past decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.

In the past two seasons, promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points - the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.

Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day - often by promoted sides.

But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted trio Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

We asked for your views on the arrival of Zavier Gozo and Crystal Palace's transfer approach this summer.

Here are some of your comments:

Elias: I am happy that we are spending money on players this summer and preparing for the Europa League, but I don't see why we would get another attacker. On a personal note, I would have liked to see a new midfielder or maybe an experienced defender. Even if we needed an attacker, it probably would have been good to get a veteran who has played European football. But I still hope that he does well for us and that he can be a good boost off the bench or a starter in cup games.

Les: It's exciting to see fresh new blood in the side. Zavier Gozo looks a little overwhelmed with signing for Palace, but a move like this will take time for him to settle. A good prospect for the season.

John: Hopefully Jean-Philippe Mateta and Adam Wharton stay. We would also like another centre-half, preferably a Axel Disasi loan from Chelsea. If that all happens, we have had a good summer. Pierre Sage's got a hard act to follow.

Steve: Really pleased to see Palace signing young players with the potential to grow and develop. I hope Zavier Gozo is given time to adapt to the Premier League, and given many minutes on the pitch. Looking forward to seeing him light up the league.

Derek: It's all very well signing new players, but we still need to address the centre-back position vacated by Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix.

Image source, CPFC

New Crystal Palace signing Zavier Gozo says fans can expect dynamism in his play.

The 19-year-old forward has left Major League Soccer (MLS) side Real Salt Lake and penned a five-year contract at Selhurst Park in a deal worth $15m (£11.1m).

Gozo has scored six goals and provided four assists in Real Salt Lake's first 16 league games of the year, with his form also earning him a call-up for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.

"I'm really looking forward to playing in the Premier League with Crystal Palace," Gozo, who is the Eagles' sixth summer signing, told Palace TV, external. "It is the dream of any footballer.

"I'm excited by the people and the project they have going on here. I'm interested to see how they can develop me and obviously help me get to where I want to be. The people and the club environment are top.

"I would describe myself as a dynamic player. I like to run in behind but I also like to run with the ball, dribble, shoot and score goals.

"The success of this club recently is what excites me as well. I'm excited to play and score some goals for this team.

"I used to wake up every morning to watch the games. Me and my brother used to watch all of the Premier League highlights with my dad. It's crazy to think that I could be in those highlights now!"

Are you happy with Pierre Sage's new addition? How do you feel about Crystal Palace's transfer approach this summer?

Get in touch with your views here

Eli Junior Kroupi, Igor Thiago and Nico O'Reilly were among the breakout stars who made their mark on the Premier League last season - but who will be next?

BBC Sport's TV and radio commentators have picked 13 players they believe are worth watching out for over the next few months.

Crystal Palace's Oscar Mingueza is on the list ...

Image source, Getty Images

Age: 27 Position: Defender Country: Spain

Conor McNamara: Mingueza did not make Spain's World Cup-winning squad, but the standard was incredibly high. Pedro Porro was first choice right-back and, with Marcos Llorente and Marc Pubill also able to cover that position, Mingueza was left to rue what might have been.

After allowing his contract to run down at Celta Vigo, the defender has joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer, which might just prove to be one of the signings of the summer. I commentated on Mingueza playing for Spain at the Nations League finals a year ago and he is very impressive at turning defence into attack.

With Daniel Munoz's future at Selhurst Park up in the air, Mingueza could be a ready-made replacement for one of Palace's most effective players of recent seasons.

If Munoz stays, Mingueza has the versatility to play anywhere across the back line.

Find the full list of possible breakout stars here

Fancy testing your football prediction skills? With the new season under way, BBC Sport has just the thing to keep you entertained every week.

After the success of our World Cup Predictor game, we've rebranded it for the club season as Match of the Day Predictor.

It's simple to play - just predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

And don't worry if you've joined late - players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Once you've submitted your predictions, you'll also be able to see what others think the outcome of the match will be.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or click here to play

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.

While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.

Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.

But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).

The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.

While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.

Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers