Sage says Palace remain focused on solutions after fifth league defeat

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage said his club remained focused on finding solutions after a 2-0 home defeat by Newcastle brought boos from supporters at Selhurst Park. Speaking after Sunday's match, the Frenchman said there was no unrest inside the club, according to BBC Sport, while acknowledging that fans' frustration reflected the team's results.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxuXBbx41nQ

The defeat was Palace's fifth in eight Premier League matches and left them in the bottom four with seven points. They had conceded 19 league goals, the worst defensive record in the division. Newcastle's victory followed Palace's 5-0 loss at Brighton the previous weekend, leaving Sage facing questions about both performances and his position four months into the job.

Sage told his post-match media conference that dissatisfaction was an understandable reaction when supporters expected victories. He said the staff were concentrating on improving the team and creating conditions in which it could compete. Asked further about his future, he said his responsibility was to persuade the players to perform and improve, with decisions about his position belonging to the chairman and owners.

Palace's most recent victory came against Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park on 11 October, when they recovered from behind to win. Since then, they have lost to Lyon in the Europa League and Brighton in the Premier League, drawn 2-2 with Besiktas in Istanbul, and been beaten by Newcastle. That sequence has extended their winless run across competitions to four matches.

Sage signed a three-year contract after succeeding Oliver Glasner, whose two years at Palace produced the FA Cup, a European trophy and the Community Shield. Sage arrived after leading Lens to second place in Ligue 1 and victory in the French Cup, achievements that earned him the French league's manager-of-the-year award. His opening eight league games at Palace have yielded two wins and one draw.

The next scheduled Premier League test is away to Tottenham on Saturday, followed by a home match against Liverpool on 8 November. Palace then visit Coventry City on 21 November after the international break. For now, Sage's public response to the Newcastle defeat centred on continuing the work with his players, rather than announcing changes to his position.