The five goals conceded mean Crystal Palace have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, with 17 goals against from only seven matches.

A poor first half cost them on Thursday when they lost 3-2 in France against Lyon in France in the Europa League having gone 2-0 behind in the first half.

But manager Pierre Sage could not have expected his side to capitulate so tamely in one of the most important matches of the season for their supporters.

It was a tough afternoon for the Palace defence, with 18-year-old central defender Honest Ahanor, on loan from Atalanta, substituted after 53 minutes on his second Premier League start.

One bright point was the return of France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, making his first appearance of the campaign since getting injured on the opening weekend in the 2-0 loss at Everton.

Captain Adam Wharton summed up the feelings in the Palace camp when he said: "We couldn't have started any worse. Nowhere near good enough from every single one of us, from start to the end of the game.

"We've had a couple of slow starts and we're not intentionally doing that and we have to sort it out."

Both Brighton and Palace are back in European action on Thursday. Brighton are in the Czech Republic against Jablonec in the Conference League, while the Eagles will be looking to quickly move on from this dreadful display, but face a tough-looking trip to Turkey to take on Besiktas in the Europa League.

Sage only came to the Eagles in the summer, replacing the departing Oliver Glasner, but will be facing huge pressure if Palace cannot quickly improve on a woeful day for the club and its fans.