Pierre Sage believed his Crystal Palace team "deserved better" from their 2-2 draw with Besiktas as the pressure continued to mount on the Frenchman on Thursday.
Under-pressure Sage 'frustrated' by Palace's draw with Besiktas
Crystal Palace could not find a way past Besiktas in the Europa League, with Pierre Sage saying his side deserved more than just a point.
Palace claimed a point at Tupras Stadyumu in the Europa League, despite playing the final 13 minutes with a man extra after Umit Akdag was sent off for a second yellow card.
Besiktas had taken the lead at the end of the first half through Wilfred Ndidi, but two goals in four minutes from Yeremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta turned things around.
However, Junior Olaitan came off the bench to salvage a point for Besiktas in the 73rd minute, with the hosts scoring with their only two shots on target of the game.
The heat was on Sage after last weekend's 5-0 defeat to rivals Brighton in the Premier League, with reports suggesting the Palace boss had just two matches to save his job.
It was a match with little quality in the final third, with Palace's expected goals (xG) total of 0.44 just bettered by Besiktas' tally of 0.69, Sage believed his team should have earned all three points, telling TNT Sports:"I am satisfied with the performance.
"A little bit frustrated for the lads, because they gave a lot this evening and I think they deserved better.
"We lacked concentration in the final minute of the first half and at the end. It was the same when we were 2-1 up. In this kind of situation, you pay if you make a little mistake.
"The performance was worse on Sunday. We made a good step and now to go forward and win against Newcastle on Sunday."
Palace's problems have been centred around conceding goals, particularly away from home. They have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 games on the road in all competitions, shipping a total of 33 goals in that time.
In the Premier League, the Eagles have conceded more goals (17), faced more shots (125), faced more shots on target (43), and have a higher xG against (14.8) than any other side in the top flight this season.
But ahead of welcoming Newcastle United to Selhurst Park this Sunday, Sage was given a boost at the other end by Mateta, who marked his return from injury with a goal.
Since his debut for Palace in February 2021, Mateta has scored 63 goals in all competitions for the club, 26 more than any other player (Eberechi Eze next on 37).
"I am really happy for him," Sage said of Mateta's display. "It's a good moment for him. Just before coming out, he was not really ready to play.
"You could then see he was tired, but when you have this mindset and give your life on the pitch it is good for you.
"We have a lot of satisfaction in individual performances and I have to underline the team performance, too.
"At the end, we had a good game without the result we deserved."
