Crystal Palace fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Strasbourg in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, as Liam Rosenior’s side surrendered a first-half lead and the French hosts preserved their unbeaten start to the competition.
Tyrick Mitchell put Palace ahead with a neat finish, and Ismaila Sarr came inches from doubling the advantage when his effort struck the inside of the post, with goalkeeper Mike Penders stranded well outside his area.
Strasbourg hit back early in the second half. Emanuel Emegha levelled at the back post, turning in Diego Moreira’s low cross. Palace responded positively and nearly regained the lead when Adam Wharton crashed a shot off the bar after Penders was again caught badly out of position following a turnover on the edge of the Strasbourg box.
Penders then redeemed himself with an excellent stop to thwart Yeremy Pino. Moments later, Strasbourg surged forward and completed the comeback: Julio Enciso’s free-kick cannoned off the post and 18-year-old Samir El Mourabet reacted quickest to sweep in the rebound.
The result leaves Strasbourg level on 10 points with Samsunspor at the top of the group, after the Turkish side were held to a 2-2 draw away to Icelandic club Breidablik.
Palace sit 18th in the Conference League standings with two wins and two defeats from their opening four matches in their first full campaign in European competition. They remain just two points outside the top eight, which guarantees direct qualification to the last 16, with fixtures against Shelbourne of Ireland and Finland’s KuPS still to come.
AFP
