Wilfred Ndidi handed Beşiktaş the lead right on half-time. Still, two quick goals at the start of the second half from Yéremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta put Palace ahead. However, they wouldn’t hold on as Junior Olaïtan came off the bench to save a point for Vincenzo Italiano’s side, who finished with 10 after Ümit Akdağ was sent off while the Eagles were 2-1 up.

Sage was very pleased with the performance, stating that he felt that his side deserved to win that game.

“The draw was not enough for us. I think we made a performance that was good enough to win.

We took the lead in the physicality of the play, the intensity. I think that’s a good challenge because Beşiktaş showed a certain level of performance, and we tried to prevent them from playing.

The Frenchman also praised both the starting 11 and the subs for trusting the game plan and putting in a very committed performance.

“I think we did what we decided to do before the game, and the players were really concentrated on the game plan.

“That's the strength of this team, and when they are able to do that, to play all together in the same way, with the same level of concentration and the same level of commitment, we can do good things.”

Before their next counter in Europe against Hoffenheim on November 5th, Crystal Palace face a pair of tough encounters in the Premier League: Newcastle United on Sunday, October 25th, before they head to Tottenham for a London Derby on Halloween.

Sage relayed his confidence about turning around the Eagles' poor form in the league,

“For sure. If not, I would stop the job now, and that's not my mindset, not my education, because my parents had a shop, and if you don't open the shop every day, you don't have money to earn.

“That's why you need to work every day, and you have to keep the ambition to do good things. I think we are able to turn things around in the Premier League, and we [will] show another phase on Sunday; now we have to confirm that in our game on Sunday and take the points [against Newcastle]”