Sage drops McNeil and Guessand to spark reaction before sealing first Palace win at Fulham

Pierre Sage secured his first Crystal Palace victory by dropping two of his summer signings, with the Frenchman’s 3-2 Premier League win at Craven Cottage on Saturday coming without Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand in the matchday squad.

The attacking pair were omitted after Sage grew frustrated with their substitute appearances in Palace’s 4-1 home defeat to Manchester City eight days earlier. A Tyrick Mitchell double and a Ben Chilwell winner delivered the points, lifting Palace to 13th in the table after opening losses to Everton and City.

“It’s my decision, a sports decision, and sometimes players have to be shaken to come back and regain their level,” Sage said. He acknowledged that McNeil and Guessand were unhappy with the call but offered both a route back into the squad when Palace host Championship side Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday.

“It’s like this: they just have to take the information, to change things during the session, because they have the opportunity to show every week, and maybe they will come back with us on Tuesday,” Sage added.

Sage will assess squad fitness ahead of the cup tie after several players were left “really tired” by the London derby win. Middlesbrough arrive at Selhurst Park in strong form, sitting second in the Championship with 10 points from five matches — just one point behind early pace-setters Swansea.

Palace have developed a cup pedigree in recent seasons, winning the FA Cup in 2025 before lifting the Community Shield and the Conference League trophy last season. Sage will be targeting Carabao Cup progression as he looks to build momentum in his first full campaign in charge, having replaced Oliver Glasner in the summer.