Sports
Report, result and goals as visitors stunned by late comeback
Get 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, in another blow for the visitors’ European aspirations.
Palace had started the brighter and controlled large spells of the opening 45, but Strasbourg’s persistence and attacking changes after the interval were key in shifting the momentum.
Palace opened the scoring on 35 minutes with a well-taken goal from Tyrick Mitchell, who arrived unexpectedly inside the area and steered a left-footed shot across Mike Penders into the far corner.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s through pass split the defence and Mitchell’s finish was inch-perfect from a narrow angle.
That lead cemented what had been a positive spell for the visitors, who had already gone close through 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, yet they lacked the final touch.
Emegha came closest with a header sent marginally wide, while Moreira twice threatened with strikes from the left.
Despite that improvement on the ball, Palace retained control and finished the opening half with the advantage.
Second half
The second half began with more urgency from Strasbourg. Within eight minutes they had levelled. Emegha received inside the area from Moreira and placed a right-footed effort past the goalkeeper to make it 1-1.
It was a deserved equaliser and transformed the flow of the game. Palace attempted to respond, with Wharton hitting the bar before Pino forced another low save from Penders on 76 minutes.
Almost immediately, Strasbourg struck what proved the winner. El Mourabet lashed a left-footed effort low into the far corner following a set piece, completing the turnaround.
Just moments earlier, Enciso had rattled the crossbar from a free kick. Palace, having introduced Eddie Nketiah shortly before the equaliser, were now chasing the game.
Chances continued at both ends into the final 10 minutes. Henderson denied Paez and Moreira with two important saves, while Pino sent a late effort over the bar when Palace sought a late rescue.
Tension grew further with bookings for Lacroix, El Mourabet and Canvot as tackles increased in desperation.
Four minutes were signalled, and Palace forced a late corner before Strasbourg regained control and slowed the tempo.
Penders’ handling in the final moments eased any threat, and the hosts saw out the contest.
