Sarr was the hero as Palace reached the last eight of the UEFA Conference League last Thursday, bagging a brace in their 2-1 second leg win over Cypriot side AEK Larnaca.
The 28-year-old has found the back of the net 15 times this season – the most he has scored in a single campaign – and also tops Palace’s European goalscoring chart.
Signed for £12.5million from Marseille to replace Michael Olise in August 2024, Sarr has registered 37 goal contributions for the Eagles – making him one of the most impressive pound-for-pound additions in their 13-year Premier League stay.
Hughes, who played with Sarr at Watford before reuniting with the Senegal international at Palace, waxed lyrical about the speedy attacker.
“Honestly, we were speaking about this in the changing room with a couple of the lads – he’s phenomenal, Hughes told the News Shopper after the win in Cyprus.
“He’s so underrated, not only in our team, but in football in general. What he produces week in, week out over a number of years has been incredible, really.
“He’s one of the first names on the teamsheet for us. He’s such a humble guy, which is ultimately the main thing. When you can add the quality he’s got into that, it’s just brilliant.”
The 30-year-old, however, warned against getting carried away after setting up a Conference League quarter-final against Italian side Fiorentina.
Palace qualified thanks to a 2-1 win on aggregate over AEK Larnaca in the last 16, with all three goals coming during the second leg in Cyprus.
The goalless first leg gave way to an incident-filled second, with Sarr’s early strike cancelled out by Enric Saborit midway through the second half.
Saborit was sent off soon after, with Sarr eventually winning the game in extra time as the hosts ended with nine men.
“We did it the hard way again,” Hughes said. “I bet it was an entertaining watch for the neutral fans. We would prefer it not to be like that, but getting through is ultimately the most important thing.
“Larnaca were not an easy team to play against. You look at their record in the Conference League and they’ve conceded one goal – it shows how well-oiled they are as a defensive unit.
“We had to be patient. It could have been a lot easier on the night, but the quality shone through and we got there in the end.
“It means a lot, and we will enjoy the wins when they come. But we can’t get caught up in where we’re at. We’ve still got to remain professional.”
(Image: UEFA)
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Hughes jumped into a dramatic ending, coming on as a substitute in the 119th minute when a section of home fans were throwing cups, bottles and a spare flag pole towards Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
“It’s about adapting to the situation,” Hughes explained. “Playing extra time as well – which we haven’t done – the lads are naturally going to be tired, physically and mentally, but all the lads on the bench, they’re ready to come on.
“It’s been drilled into us from the start of the season that everyone’s got to play a part.
“It’s easier said than done when you’re in the moment. It was a bit chaotic, but the lads remained calm.
“Even when they equalised, we got a grip of the game straight away. We probed and pressed and it ultimately paid off.”