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.
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.
Mateta came into the side in place of the suspended Jorgen Strand Larsen and looked sharp after scoring a hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors friendly midweek.
“What a night. For a long time I didn’t play, I didn’t start. I dreamed about scoring that goal for nights. I did and I am so happy,” Mateta told TNT Sports after the game.
Mateta completed a lap of honour applauding Selhurst Park after the game. On whether he has a message for Palace fans, he added: “They know me, I keep working hard. They know I am always here to reach victory and today we did it. Hopefully we can finish the job in Italy.”
He headed narrowly wide from a Daniel Munoz cross before Ismaila Sarr – Palace’s leading scorer in the competition with five goals – went close with a curling long-range effort.
A minute later Guessand ran onto an Ismaila Sarr pass but was cleaned out by Dodo as he sliced his shot wide, leaving the referee with little choice but to award a spot kick.
Mateta sent De Gea the wrong way for his first goal since New Year’s Day before karate-kicking the corner flag in exuberant celebration.
Palace did not need a second Fiorentina error to extend their lead. Daichi Kamada found the run of Munoz in behind the visitors’ defence with a clipped ball, and after Mateta saw his effort from the Colombian’s acrobatic cut-back saved, Mitchell stuck in the rebound.
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.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner voiced his displeasure from the sidelines, but his side regained their composure and scored what could be a decisive third when Sarr’s late header bounced up into the top corner past a helpless De Gea.
Palace will take a three-goal advantage into the second leg in Florence next week, with a semi-final tie against either Shakhtar Donetsk or AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands awaiting the victors.
