Report & Highlights: Palace suffer European setback in Strasbourg

Summary:

• Palace make three changes from the side that defeated Wolves, with Jaydee Canvot, Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes coming into the starting XI
• 6: Mateta tests keeper with a chipped effort
• 18: Mateta makes contact with Hughes’ inswinging cross but can’t keep his header down
• 20: Henderson holds onto Enciso’s placed shot
• 24: Moreira gets to the byline and flicks the ball back across goal, Emegha heading just wide
• 30: Palace are forced into an early change as Hughes is replaced by Wharton
• 34 - GOAL: Palace strike first as Mitchell fires home from an angle after great work from Mateta
• 37: Sarr hits the post after rounding keeper from the distance
• HT: Strasbourg 0-1 Palace. Richards replaces Guéhi
• 53 – GOAL: Strasbourg level as Emmanuel Emegha volleys past Henderson
• 62: Nketiah replaces Mateta as Palace look to get back in front
• 77 – GOAL: El Mourabet reacts quickly following a free-kick to put the hosts in front
• FT: Strasbourg 2-1 Palace.

Tyrick Mitchell gave Palace the lead in the 35th minute with a drilled finish, but two goals after the break from the Ligue Un side meant they took the three points, ending our five-match unbeaten run.

Oliver Glasner shuffled his pack for the fourth league phase fixture with Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma starting together in midfield, while Jaydee Canvot came in for Chris Richards in the defence.

And, as they had done in the previous matchday against AZ Alkmaar, Palace imposed themselves on the tie in the opening minutes, unphased by the European stage.

Back on French soil, Jean-Philippe Mateta had the first effort of the night, his lobbed effort not quite able to catch out opposition ‘keeper Mike Penders.

The hosts were also aggressive in attack and did create a big chance in the 13th minute. Sebastian Nanasi looped a bouncing effort just wide, with the home crowd encouraged by a positive start.

But, backed by a raucous travelling Red and Blue-clad support, the Eagles continued to create opportunities of their own.

The returning Hughes opened up Strasbourg with a real moment of quality in the 19th minute, providing an inch-perfect inswinging cross.

Mateta managed to make contact in the air, but just failed to keep his header down, the ball sailing over Penders’ crossbar.

Jefferson Lerma was next to have a sight of goal, only to miscue his effort, with the ball ending up off-target.

Glasner’s side were growing into the game but were dealt an unexpected blow on the half-hour mark, with Hughes forced to depart the action early in discomfort, Adam Wharton coming on.

Despite the setback, Palace managed to hit the front in the 34th minute. Wharton’s long ball was controlled expertly by Mateta, who played in a clever pass behind the Strasbourg defence.

Tyrick Mitchell timed his arrival perfectly and – despite a tight angle – produced a precise finish into the bottom corner, his first goal in Europe and second this season after the wonderstrike at West Ham.

At this point the Eagles were firmly seizing control. Penders was often pushing way off his line to join in possession, but it nearly proved costly for the hosts.

Ismaïla Sarr pounced on a loose ball and dropped a shoulder to go past the Strasbourg goalkeeper and shot for the open goal, only for the ball to bounce back off the post. That meant the Eagles had to settle for one-goal lead at half-time.

Unlike in our last European away success against Dynamo Kyiv, the second-half would not prove straightforward.

The hosts got themselves back on level terms just eight minutes after the break, Valentin Barco produced a sensational flick to release Diego Moreira to cross from the left and Chelsea-bound Emmanuel Emegha was able to volley past Dean Henderson at the back post.

Strasbourg visibly seemed to grow in confidence following the goal, but also continued to take risks at the back. Ismaël Doukouré was dispossessed in a dangerous area, with Wharton nicking in, only for his effort to come back off the crossbar with Penders once again stranded.

Looking to wrestle back momentum, Glasner introduced Eddie Nketiah off the bench, Mateta making way. Fellow substitute Chris Richards then threatened with a header across the face of goal, Lerma unable to make the final contact under pressure.

A huge chance arrived just 14 minutes from time, Nketiah and Muñoz combining to tee up Pino from a few yards out. The Spainiard went for the near post but Penders reacted to save.

Strasbourg immediately won a free-kick up the other end and it proved decisive. Enciso’s clever effort came back off the crossbar, but with Henderson stranded, Samir El Mourabet reacted to tap home, his first ever senior goal.

It remained end-to-end in the closing stages, Strasbourg substitute Kendry Paez forced a brilliant save out of Henderson, who was also forced to react to keep out Moreira’s free-kick.

At the other end Pino went close again after great work from Sarr, but couldn’t keep his shot down, with the Eagles unable to create one last chance in four minutes of injury time.

The defeat leaves Palace 18th in the Conference League table, with maximum points potentially needed to secure that all-important top eight finish.

The Eagles return to European action against Shelbourne in two weeks’ time, and host Manchester United on Sunday in the Premier League.

RC Strasbourg: Penders (GK), Doué, Høgsberg (Chilwell, 43), Sarr, Barco, Doukoure, El Mourabet, Moreira, Enciso (Omobamidele, 89), Nanasi (Páez, 74), Emegha (Panichelli, 74)

Subs: Bajic (GK), Kerckaert (GK) Amougou, Godo, Amo-Ameyaw, Nzingoula, Lemarechal, Rafael Luis.

Palace: Henderson (GK), Canvot, Lacroix, Guéhi (Richards, 45), Muñoz, Hughes (Wharton, 31), Lerma (Kamada, 82), Mitchell, Pino, Sarr, Mateta (Nketiah, 62)

Subs: Benítez (GK), Matthews (GK), Clyne, Cardines, Devenny, Esse, Uche.

AS IT HAPPENED