---
title: "Pierre Sage takes responsibility after Crystal Palace suffer Brighton humiliation"
canonical: "https://readcrystalpalace.com/2026/10/18/pierre-sage-crystal-palace-brighton-defeat/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Shumail Sajid"
section: "Match Day"
published: "2026-10-18T17:18:42Z"
modified: "2026-10-18T17:18:44Z"
---

# Pierre Sage takes responsibility after Crystal Palace suffer Brighton humiliation

**Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage has taken responsibility for his side’s poor start against Brighton after the Eagles suffered a heavy defeat at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.**

[Crystal Palace](https://readcrystalpalace.com/tag/crystal-palace/) conceded three goals inside the opening nine minutes, leaving themselves with a mountain to climb in the Premier League derby.

The result adds to their defensive problems, with 17 goals conceded in seven league matches leaving them with the worst defensive record in the division.

The defeat marks Palace’s heaviest loss to [Brighton](https://readcrystalpalace.com/tag/brighton/) since January 1956 and leaves Sage’s side just two points above the relegation zone.

## **Pierre Sage admits Palace must improve**

Sage did not shy away from his own role in Palace’s problems when asked whether he would be given time to turn things around.

“It’s not my decision.” [Sage said after the game](https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/13279298/crystal-palace-transfers-latest-news-rumours-and-gossip-live-updates-goals-and-highlights).

The Palace boss was particularly concerned by the way his side started the match. The Eagles had also fallen behind early against Lyon on Thursday, eventually losing 3-2 after going into half-time two goals down.

“It’s difficult to summarise as there are lots of negative points in the performance. We started really bad. Completely not normal to behind by three in nine minutes.

“I prepare the team, I’m responsible. I have a lot of work to do. I have to change this kind of thing. I don’t create the conditions for the players to start well. The first work is on me.”

Sage admitted the repeated slow starts cannot continue and said he would discuss the situation with his staff before making decisions.

“It’s in the preparation and the way we give them motivation to start the game in the locker room or the warm-up. We have to analyse that because it’s not normal.

“It’s not the first time so we have to change with the players. I have to take decisions about that. I will talk with my staff about that. We have to improve.”

## **Adam Wharton demands a response**

Captain [Adam Wharton](https://readcrystalpalace.com/tag/adam-wharton/) was equally unhappy with Palace’s performance and made it clear that the players must take responsibility too.

“We couldn’t have started any worse. Nowhere near good enough from every single one of us, from start to the end of the game.

“We’ve had a couple of slow starts and we’re not intentionally doing that and we have to sort it out.”

Palace now have little time to dwell on the defeat, with Besiktas away in the [Europa League](https://readcrystalpalace.com/tag/europa-league/) on Thursday. Brighton will also return to European action, travelling to the Czech Republic to face Jablonec in the Conference League.