Patrick Vieira's worst defeats as Crystal Palace manager
By Tom Gott
With Crystal Palace slipping into one of the most enthralling relegation battles in recent memory, the Eagles have made the decision to dismiss manager Patrick Vieira.
The Frenchman has been sacked after a run of 12 straight games without a win - a streak which covers the entirety of 2023 up to his departure.
It brings an abrupt end to a disappointing spell at Selhurst Park, and here's a look at Vieira's worst defeats in charge of the Eagles.
Vieira's worst defeats
Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa (27/11/21)
Palace gifted Steven Gerrard his second win as Aston Villa manager in November 2021 with a limp 2-1 home defeat.
Matt Targett opened the scoring in the fall-out from a corner, which would become something of a staple of the Vieira reign at Selhurst Park, before John McGinn netted from range to ensure Marc Guehi's late consolation meant nothing.
Vieira's side had over 60% possession but were toothless in attack, managing fewer shots than Villa on the day.
Everton 3-2 Crystal Palace (19/05/22)
Everton were expected to be dead and buried at the end of the 2021/22 season but the Toffees came from two goals down to beat Palace and secure their status in the division for at least one more year.
Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew scored in the first half but Palace were soon overwhelmed by a team who had lost 11 of their 17 games prior to this one, shipping three unanswered goals en route to defeat.
Defending set-pieces was once again a problem for Vieira's side, with two of Everton's goals coming from free-kicks.
Everton 3-0 Crystal Palace (22/10/22)
Five months later, Palace travelled to Everton to face a Toffees side who were on a run of three successive defeats.
Vieira's side enjoyed more of the ball but, yet again, offered nothing in attack as Everton romped to a 3-0 victory, ending Palace's three-game winning streak in the process.
It was a miserable day for fans who watched Palace fail to lay a glove on their opponents for the full 90 minutes.
Crystal Palace 0-3 Fulham (26/12/22)
Vieira described December 2022's defeat to Fulham as one of the worst days of his managerial career, and rightly so.
On home soil, Palace were absolutely battered from the first minute to the last and even ended the game with nine men. Tyrick Mitchell was sent off in the first half before James Tomkins was shown a second yellow shortly after the interval.
Fulham had 64% possession and managed 23 shots on goal, with an attacking Palace lineup only coming up with four efforts.
Crystal Palace 1-2 Southampton (07/01/23)
Nathan Jones' time in charge of Southampton will not be remembered fondly, but Palace were kind enough to hand him one of just four victories during his time in the St Mary's dugout.
Things started off well for Palace as they took a deserved lead through Odsonne Edouard but the Eagles lost all defensive composure after that, with goalkeeper Vicente Guaita particularly guilty of some significant errors.
James Ward-Prowse's crossed free-kick was inexplicably allowed to bounce into the top corner, before the goalkeeper was caught in possession by a gleeful Adam Armstrong for the second.
Brighton 1-0 Crystal Palace (15/03/23)
A defeat to rivals Brighton proved to be the final nail in Vieira's coffin at Selhurst Park.
While there's nothing wrong with losing to a high-flying Brighton side, it's the manner of this defeat which hurt fans. It was Palace's third straight game without a shot on target, with the team unable to step up even against their rivals.
It proved to be the final straw for the Palace chiefs, who cut ties with Vieira two days later.
READ NEXT
manual