Crystal Palace were beaten by Lyon in France in the Eagles’ first ever away match in the Europa League.
The hosts only needed eight minutes to open the scoring, when Corentin Tolisso reacted quickest to bury the loose ball after Palace failed to cope with a corner from the right.
In a quiet first half, Lyon doubled their lead in injury time as Ernest Nuamah finished well from Keito Nakamura’s low cross.
Palace had come from behind to gain Premier League wins over Fulham and Nottingham Forest this season and were much improved after the break, finding a way back into the match in the 50th minute.
The visitors worked a short corner, with Adam Wharton’s fine first-time pass instantly met by Yeremy Pino before he shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-1.
Palace had chances to make it 2-2 before Lyon restored their two-goal advantage thanks to Pavel Sulc’s clever backheel flick into the net.
Daichi Kamada gave Palace hope as he finished from six yards out to make it 3-2, but the hosts held on for the victory.
It was a return to Lyon for Eagles boss Pierre Sage, who had been manager of the Ligue 1 club from November 2023 to January 2025, having previously been a coach.
Palace won the third-tier Conference League last season and this is their first campaign playing in Europe’s second-tier competition. After two of their eight league-phase matches, they have three points following the 4-0 win over Polish side Lech Poznan.
Crystal Palace analysis: Poor first half costs Sage on his return to Lyon
Palace were backed by 3,000 fans in Lyon, but, despite an improved performance in the second half, left empty handed.
They nearly snatched a draw in the 90th minute but Chris Richards’ header following Wharton’s corner was well saved by home goalkeeper Dominik Greif.
This match was one of the standout ties for the Eagles supporters when the draw was made.
After the club won the FA Cup for the first time in 2025, that achievement should have earned Palace a place in the 2025-26 Europa League.
However, the Eagles were demoted to the third-tier Conference League because then co-owner John Textor was also the majority owner of Lyon.
The American sold his share in Palace and left his leadership role with Lyon that summer. But European football’s governing body Uefa said Lyon, as they had finished higher in their domestic league, would stay in the Europa League, with Palace dropping down.
Palace then won the Conference League to earn their spot back in the Europa League for 2026-27.
Sage’s side were left rueing a slow start as they offered little as an attacking force in the opening half, with the hosts looking comfortable at 2-0.
Palace were the better side after the break and following their goal had chances to earn a point, but Jorgen Strand Larsen headed over and substitute Kamada had a shot saved.
Lyon’s third goal then came against the run of play and although Kamada scored soon after, it was not enough.
The Eagles play at rivals Brighton on Sunday before returning to Europa League action when they travel to Turkey to face Besiktas next Thursday