Strasbourg came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the UEFA Conference League, leaving the English side 18th in the standings
CRYSTAL PALACE suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Strasbourg in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.
Liam Rosenior’s Strasbourg side came from behind to maintain their unbeaten start in the competition.
Tyrick Mitchell steered Palace into the lead during the first half.
Ismaila Sarr nearly doubled the advantage when he struck the inside of the post with Strasbourg goalkeeper Mike Penders stranded out of his area.
Emanuel Emegha equalised for the French club early in the second half with a simple tap-in from Diego Moreira’s cross.
Adam Wharton then hit the bar for Palace with the goal gaping after Penders was again caught badly out of position.
Penders produced a terrific save to deny Yeremy Pino shortly afterward.
Strasbourg immediately went down the other end and scored the winner through teenager Samir El Mourabet.
El Mourabet swept in the rebound after Julio Enciso’s free-kick smacked back off the post.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner said his team paid the price for not taking their chances.
“When you twice have an empty goal in front of you and you miss the goal twice hitting the post, you should be 3-1 up,” Glasner told TNT Sports.
“It has happened too many times this season when we did not decide the game when we could.”
Strasbourg moved level on 10 points with Samsunspor at the top of the group.
The Turkish side could only manage a 2-2 draw away to Breidablik of Iceland.
Palace are now 18th in the Conference League standings with two wins and two losses from four matches.
They are two points off the top eight positions which offer direct qualification to the last 16.
Palace still have games to come against Irish outfit Shelbourne and Finland’s KuPS.
In other Conference League action, Aberdeen remain winless after a 1-1 draw at home to Armenia’s Noah. – AFP
