Crystal Palace hosts Manchester City amid player contract issues
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 28, 2026, 1:15 PM
Last updated Aug 28, 2026
Crystal Palace faces Manchester City at Selhurst Park on Friday night. Palace's new head coach, Pierre Sage, is dealing with the aftermath of a 2-0 season-opening defeat to Everton and a contract dispute with forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who missed two significant scoring chances in that match. Sage expressed confidence that Mateta will remain with the club despite speculation regarding his future. On the other side, City manager Enzo Maresca has started the season well following a win over Bournemouth and has introduced defender Marc Guehi to a midfield role, with new signing Ayyoub Bouaddi also potentially available for selection.
- •Crystal Palace lost 2-0 to Everton in their opening match.
- •Jean-Philippe Mateta's contract situation raises concerns about his future.
- •Manchester City began their season with a victory over Bournemouth.
- •Marc Guehi was unexpectedly utilized in midfield in City's last match.
- •Ayyoub Bouaddi, a new signing, is available for selection against Palace.
- 1:15 PMYahoo Sports — Crystal Palace v Man City: Key stats and talking points
"A 2-0 defeat away at Everton in his opening game was not the start new head coach Pierre Sage was looking for, and the result was compounded by news of a contract row involving his fellow Frenchman, while last season's top scorer Ismail Sarr is on Liverpool's radar. Mateta believes the one-year contract extension triggered by the club last season is invalid. Mateta missed two big chances in the first half against Everton, and Palace's profligacy in front of goal has been a cause of concern for some time now.
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