Catch all the action from Crystal Palace’s trip to Strasbourg in the Europa Conference League…
Strasbourg overturned a first-half deficit to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at home, a further blow to the visitors’ European aspirations.
Palace had started the brightest and most controlled periods of the opening 45 minutes, but Strasbourg’s persistence and attacking changes after the break were key in changing the momentum.
Palace opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a well-taken goal from Tyrick Mitchell, who unexpectedly arrived inside the area and headed a left-footed shot past Mike Penders into the far corner.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s through ball split the defense and Mitchell’s finish was perfect from a narrow angle.
The lead cemented what had been a positive spell for the visitors, who had already gone close thanks to Sarr clipping the post and Pino forcing a save from Penders.
Strasbourg responded before half-time with increasing involvement from Julio Enciso and Diego Moreira, but they lacked the finishing touch.
Emegha went close with a header sent slightly wide, while Moreira twice threatened with strikes from the left.
Despite this improvement in possession, Palace maintained control and finished the first half with the advantage.
Second half
The second half started with more urgency for Strasbourg. In eight minutes they were level. Emegha received inside the box from Moreira and placed a right-footed effort past the goalkeeper to make it 1-1.
It was a deserved equalizer and transformed the course of the match. Palace tried to respond, with Wharton hitting the bar before Pino forced another low save from Penders in the 76th minute.
Almost immediately, Strasbourg struck which proved to be the winner. El Mourabet fired a low left-footed effort into the far corner after a free kick, completing the turnaround.
Moments earlier, Enciso had rattled the crossbar from a free kick. Palace, after introducing Eddie Nketiah shortly before the equalizer, were now chasing the match.
The chances continued for both sides in the final 10 minutes. Henderson denied Paez and Moreira with two important saves, while Pino sent a late effort over the bar when Palace looked for a late save.
The tension increased further with warnings from Lacroix, El Mourabet and Canvot while the tackles multiplied in desperation.
Four minutes were flagged and Palace forced a late corner before Strasbourg regained control and slowed the pace.
Penders’ handling in the final moments eased any threat and the hosts took the game to a successful conclusion.
