Palace set on the way to convincing win over Fiorentina

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first goal since New Year’s Day inspired Crystal Palace to a 3-0 victory over Fiorentina in the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final.

The France striker, who started for the first time since January, led the Eagles’ line at Selhurst Park in place of the suspended Jorgen Strand Larsen.

He opened the scoring with a 24th minute penalty, and Palace took a two-goal lead when Tyrick Mitchell recycled the rebound from a Mateta effort seven minutes later.

Ismaila Sarr ensured Palace will travel to Tuscany with a comfortable advantage when he nodded home their third on the stroke of time.

Mateta had ruffled feathers amongst the Eagles faithful after his desired move to AC Milan fell apart in January, and returned to action from a knee issue-related absence in mid-March.

He was met with a mixed reception then – but the feeling was decidedly warmer when he was substituted late in the second half.

There were also starting line-up returns for Daniel Munoz and Dean Henderson, both unavailable for the second leg of their last-16 tie with AEK Larnaca.

Mateta had the first real chance seven minutes in, nodding Munoz’s delivery wide of his right post, then Robin Gosens launched an effort just over for the visitors, and it remained goalless at the 20-minute mark after Evann Guessand volleyed just wide.

Palace won the penalty moments later. Dodo was late with his challenge on Guessand and Mateta stepped up after a long VAR check to take it, slotting down the centre past the diving David De Gea.

The opener looked to have lit a fire under the Eagles, who doubled their advantage seven minutes later through a well-worked team sequence that nearly resulted in a second for Mateta, who got on the end of an