Pierre Sage takes responsibility after Crystal Palace suffer Brighton humiliation

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage accepted full responsibility following his team's heavy Premier League derby defeat against Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Sunday. Palace endured a disastrous start, conceding three goals inside the opening nine minutes of the match. The defeat stands as the club's heaviest loss to Brighton since January 1956 and leaves the Eagles just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Sage admitted that preparing the squad effectively falls on him, pointing to recurring slow starts that also contributed to a 3-2 defeat against Lyon. Team captain Adam Wharton echoed the manager's concerns, demanding that the players also take responsibility for the performance. Crystal Palace now turn their attention to a Thursday Europa League match against Besiktas.