Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage expressed his determination to turn around the team’s fortunes as they prepare for a crucial training session following a disappointing loss to Tottenham on Saturday. Sage vowed to lead by example, aiming to be the first on the training ground despite the team’s mounting challenges.

The match took a turn for the worse for Palace when Jean-Philippe Mateta received a red card in the 13th minute after a studs-up tackle on Spurs captain Micky van de Ven. Although referee Michael Oliver initially issued a yellow card, VAR upgraded the decision, leaving Palace with a significant disadvantage for the rest of the game. Tottenham continued to dominate, securing their third consecutive Premier League win with goals from Archie Gray and Jan Paul van Hecke.

This defeat has left Crystal Palace in the relegation zone, struggling with only two wins in their first seven matches under Sage’s management. The mounting pressure on Sage has led to speculation regarding his future after the team suffered a loss at home to Newcastle last Sunday and this recent defeat.

In a defiant post-match statement, Sage acknowledged the gravity of Palace’s situation but emphasized his commitment to making improvements. “Yes, (relegation), it’s a disaster for every club in the Premier League and especially that I have to speak about my club. You know I’m not comfortable with the situation in the table, but it’s a consequence of what we did bad on the pitch,” he said.

He conveyed his resolve to have a positive impact, stating, “My only way to change a thing is to go on the pitch. That is why I talk to the players and I want to be the first on the pitch on Monday. They can trust in me. I will never give up.” Sage expressed his determination to lead an effective training session on Monday to address the issues he observed during the match.

Addressing the Palace supporters, Sage reassured them of his dedication, saying, “They can trust in me because I will give my life. I am the kind of person who never gives up.”

Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi praised his team’s performance, noting their maturity on the pitch. However, he called for his players to be more assertive in attack after they recorded 34 shots but only netted two goals in a dominant display.

De Zerbi stated, “I’m very happy for the performance, because we showed to be a mature team with clear ideas. We created many, many chances. If we want to follow perfection, we have to be more nasty, no? That is an individual thing, because if I’m number nine, number 10, I want to score.” He emphasized the importance of remembering past struggles as they move forward.

In the final moments of the match, De Zerbi gave a league debut to 18-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett, commending his talent as he looks to integrate young prospects into the squad.