Pierre Sage finally has his first Premier League victory as Crystal Palace manager, but one horrible stat shows there is still plenty for him to sort out.
Palace came from behind twice to beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage on Saturday, with Tyrick Mitchell scoring twice before Ben Chilwell grabbed the winner. After defeats against Everton and Manchester City, getting those first three points on the board was very timely.
Palace are allowing far too much in their own box
According to Opta, Palace have allowed their opponents 134 touches inside the Eagles’ penalty area across Sage’s first three Premier League games.
That is the most faced by any manager in his opening three matches in the competition since Opta began recording the statistic in 2008/09.
Or, as Opta neatly described it: “Unwise.”
The numbers from Craven Cottage don’t do much to change that narrative. Fulham had 25 shots and racked up an xG of 3.13, despite Palace eventually leaving with all three points.
There was plenty to like about the way Sage’s side fought back, and Palace’s official match report described a game in which Dean Henderson was required to make important saves and the Eagles produced some vital last-ditch defending.
Palace found a way to win it, which, after the opening two league defeats, was the important thing. But 134 touches in your own box in three games is a lot of football being played too close to your goalkeeper.
Sage has only been in charge for three Premier League matches, and there has been considerable change to his squad, so nobody is expecting the finished article yet.
The Guardian highlighted Palace’s frantic end to the transfer window, with several late additions giving the new manager more to work with.
For now, Palace have their first league win under Sage. Getting that 134 figure heading rapidly in the other direction would be handy too.
