Pierre Sage said Crystal Palace’s supporters were firmly behind the team after their 1-0 Carabao Cup victory at Fulham, where fans sang the manager’s name.
Sage explained that the bond between the squad and the supporters improves when Palace show the determination and competitiveness the crowd expects. While he acknowledged that Fulham controlled much of the play, he was pleased with the way his side defended the finer details of the contest.
The Palace boss accepted that the performance was not the ideal route to victory, but said the team’s resilience was enough to secure the result. He also clarified that the kiss he blew towards the stands was intended for his wife, adding that his appreciation for the supporters did not change where his affection lay.
The match was also significant for Cheick Doucoure, who made his first start in 662 days. Sage described the midfielder’s return as the highlight of the day, pointing to the long period of suffering, patience and effort involved in getting back on to the pitch.
Sage added that Doucoure’s happiness was the most important thing for both the player and his Palace team-mates as he resumed playing football.
