Jean-Philippe Mateta returned to the starting XI for Crystal Palace with his first goal since New Year’s Day as the Eagles took a step towards the Conference League semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the last-eight first leg.
Mateta, who had not started since January 25, converted the penalty, and Tyrik Mitchell took advantage of Fiorentina’s woeful defense to score the second goal. Ismaila Sarr added a late third goal to give Palace the lead ahead of next week’s second leg in Florence.
Palace, who scored three goals for the first time since November at Selhurst Park, are now unbeaten in five games and unbeaten in their last seven Conference League games.
Palace’s three-week break has paid off and Oliver Glasner’s side have been a different side since the break. There was renewed energy in the team, which had played goalless draws in two of their three games heading into the international break. Fiorentina, who sit five points above the relegation zone in Serie A, struggled against Palace’s strong start.
Palace’s pace at the start of the game reached a climax with Dodo’s late challenge on Evan Gesand inside the area. Minutes after Mateta deflected his spot-kick past David de Gea, the former Manchester United goalkeeper had to collect the ball from behind the goal once again.
Daichi Kamata’s ball went over the top and was picked up by a free Daniel Muñoz inside the area, who played the ball to Mateta. De Gea saved the France forward’s first shot, but Mitchell was there to follow up.
Fiorentina started to look threatening for a short period in the second half. But Henderson was largely untested beyond hitting the bar until Sarr buried Kamata’s cross to seal La Viola’s fate in south London.
Mateta: I dreamed of scoring.
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta told TNT Sports.
“What a night. It’s been a long time. I didn’t play, I didn’t start. I’m very happy and I’m very happy that my player (Mitchell) also scored. Team Mitchell!”
“I dreamed about it (scoring) many nights. It happened and I’m very happy.”
On his message to the fans: “They know me. I keep working hard. I’m always here hoping to win. Today we achieved that. It’s not over yet. We have one more match in Italy.”
Glassner: That’s what Mateta deserves.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner praised Jean-Philippe Mateta after the match.
“I think JP deserves it,” he said.
“He always gives 100 per cent for the team and 100 per cent for Crystal Palace. He’s scored a lot of important goals for us but he’s also been going through a difficult period at the moment. He hasn’t been able to hit the ball or train on the pitch for six weeks, but he’s been working really hard to get back.”
“I’m happy for him, I’m happy for us and I’m happy for Crystal Palace because he’s a great player and a great striker. As I said before, we’ll need him. I think he’ll need to rest against Newcastle, but it’s great to have Jorgen Strand Larsen back.”
Glasner added: “It was a great performance by the team, especially in the first half and from the 70th minute until the end. We had a little problem 20 minutes after halftime because Fiorentina started the second half more aggressively, but we lost the ball too early.”
“But overall, the energy here at Selhurst from the fans and the team was great today and I think it showed the chances we had, so I’m really happy with what we saw today.”
