Welcome to the league, kid.
Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage looks to have plenty of faith in Zavier Gozo. Ten days after the Premier League club signed the 19-year-old to a long-term deal, Gozo entered a match against Manchester City in the 68th minute to help Palace turn around a 3-1 deficit. Instead, Man City superstar Erling Haaland added another goal as City beat Palace, 4-1.
The minutes against the Premier League power were Gozo's first since departing Real Salt Lake, the club where the Utah native made his professional debut.
Gozo played 44 matches for Real Salt Lake, drawing attention from scouts thanks to his blend of dribbling ability and his physicality. Crystal Palace earned his signature for a transfer reportedly worth more than $15
million.
Double change.
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 28, 2026
Zavier Gozo is on for his Palace debut 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hq7znzraSO
He wasn't able to turn the tide of the match for Palace, getting 10 touches on the ball, losing it once and also seeing the offside flag go up against him as he tried to create a scoring chance.
Gozo's substitute minutes meant Palace closed out the match with two Americans on the field. U.S. men's national team center back Chris Richards is a fixture with the team, though he had a difficult afternoon, seeing City forward Haaland beat him to a header for the opening goal and then standing powerless to stop a double from French superstar Rayan Cherki. A misplaced pass also led to the break that saw Haaland finish off his second late in the game.
RAYAN CHERKI FROM DISTANCE 😤
— USA Sports (@usasports) August 28, 2026
Two goals in five minutes for Cherki and Selhurst Park is STUNNED 😳
⚪️ Crystal Palace: 1
⚫️ Man City: 3
⏱️ 59’ pic.twitter.com/oCDhzqWhzZ
Gozo already had worn his new club's colors, scoring in an Aug. 22 U-21 match against Arsenal and boosting his case that he can help the senior team.
The defeat means Palace starts its season with two losses, with its next chance for a win - and Gozo's next opportunity for minutes - coming Saturday, Sept. 5, when it makes the short trip across London to meet Fulham.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: American teenager Zavier Gozo makes Premier League debut vs. Manchester City
