Ismaila Sarr scored twice as Crystal Palace won their first match in a major European competition on home soil, beating AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League at Selhurst Park.
In a breathless first half, Jean-Philippe Mateta missed a penalty before centre-back Maxence Lacroix lashed home from the edge of the area, a goal that was initially chalked off for offside but eventually stood after an almost three-minute video assistant referee (VAR) check.
Having won the penalty and generally caused Dutch side AZ problems, Sarr then doubled the Eagles’ lead just before the break when the visitors failed to clear their lines and he nipped in at the back post to scramble home.
Palace were again on top in the second half but Sven Mijnans halved the deficit for the visitors on 54 minutes, wrongfooting goalkeeper Dean Henderson to find the back of the net.
But Sarr was on hand again to restore the hosts’ two-goal cushion just 130 seconds later, scoring his second of the night when he steamed through to slot past goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro.
Oliver Glasner had named a strong starting line-up with Palace searching for a first win in the Conference League proper at Selhurst Park having suffered a shock defeat by AEK Larnaca last month.
That decision paid off as a jubilant home crowd were rewarded with an impressive performance and a second win in Europe this campaign, moving them up to ninth in the league.
Crystal Palace analysis: Sarr shines on Selhurst stage
Last time out in the Europe Palace suffered a shock home defeat by Cypriot side AEK Larnaca, their first loss at Selhurst Park in any competition since February.
While that could be put down to nerves for their first home match in a major European competition, this was a ruthless performance which got their campaign firmly back on track and gave them a third straight win in all competitions.
The hosts made a bright start in an entertaining opening 45 minutes, peppering the AZ Alkmaar goal with 12 shots and five on target.
The only blip in an otherwise dominant first half was Mateta’s penalty miss with the Frenchman appearing not to hear the whistle and therefore seeming somewhat unprepared when he struck the ball and Owusu-Oduro made a routine save.
But Palace were deserving of their eventual lead and Lacroix’s goal came moments after Sarr’s header forced Owusu-Oduro into a superb diving save.
Will Hughes then tried to chip the visiting keeper but clipped the bar and Mateta could not turn home the rebound.
Senegal forward Sarr was a nuisance throughout and his two goals take his overall tally for the season to nine in all competitions.
Selecting a strong team shows Glasner’s intentions in this competition, which has been won by English sides in two of the past three seasons.
Palace have underlined their status as one of the favourites to add their names to that list with two wins from three but the demands of competing in Europe, the Premier League and both domestic cups means Glasner may have difficult decisions to make when it comes to selection as the season progresses.
