Larnaca, Cyprus. Aek Larnaca were knocked out of the Conference League on Thursday night after Crystal Palace won 2-1 at the Aek Arena following extra time. Ismaila Sarr scored twice for Palace, while Enric Saborit scored for Aek.
Third meeting and decisive scoring
The match was the third meeting between the sides this season after two draws in their previous encounters. Sarr’s two goals proved decisive as Palace advanced to the last eight.
Palace start strongly as Wharton controls midfield
Crystal Palace, playing in European competition for the first time this season, began as the stronger side, with England international Adam Wharton dictating play in midfield. In the fifth minute, Wharton hooked the ball to Jorgen Strand Larsen, whose volley found Sarr, but Sarr turned the ball wide of goalkeeper Zlatan Alomerovic’s near post.
Aek chances and Palace opener
Aek created early opportunities, with Riad Bajic testing stand-in Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez with a shot from 20 yards. Palace took the lead after 15 minutes when Wharton played a through ball that split Aek’s defence and was deflected into Sarr’s path. Alomerovic rushed off his line to challenge, but Sarr knocked the ball past him and rolled it into the net.
Disallowed header and late incident
With Aek chasing the game, Strand Larsen went close, and Sarr appeared to double the lead when he headed in a Daichi Kamada cross, but Azerbaijani linesman Zeynal Zeynalov raised a late flag and the goal was ruled out for offside. Aek then came close from a low cross by Pete Pons, but Bajic’s attempt to reach it resulted in contact with Palace captain Maxence Lacroix, and the visitors were awarded a free kick.
What did you make of Crystal Palace’s performance in extra time?
