Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal in over three months as Crystal Palace beat Fiorentina 3-0 in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League quarter-final tie to close in on a first major European semi-final.
Mateta, making his first Palace start since a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed, converted from the penalty spot in the 24th minute after Evann Guessand was fouled by Fiorentina defender Dodo.
The French striker played a part in Palace’s second goal seven minutes as Tyrick Mitchell finished off the post after David de Gea had saved Mateta’s effort from close range.
Palace were dominant in the first half. Fiorentina looked overwhelmed but emerged for the second half with renewed energy and purpose.
Giovanni Fabbian crashed a shot against the crossbar from Dodo’s cut-back, before Dean Henderson was required to stop a header from Albert Gudmundsson and a low strike from Roberto Piccoli.
However, Ismaila Sarr surely booked his side’s place in the final four in the 90th minute when he headed a Daichi Kamada cross past De Gea.
Palace will travel to Florence for the second leg next week, with a semi-final tie against either Shakhtar Donetsk or AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands awaiting the victors.
More to follow.