Strasbourg recovered from a first-half deficit to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Stade de la Meinau, denting Palace’s hopes of finishing in the Conference League top eight.
The visitors took an early lead when Jean-Philippe Mateta controlled a long ball, held off defenders and slipped a clever through-pass to left-back Tyrick Mitchell, who tucked a low finish into the far corner from a tight angle. Moments later Palace might have extended their advantage when Palace’s loan goalkeeper Mike Penders was exposed, but Ismaïla Sarr curled a long-range effort onto the inside of the post.
Strasbourg levelled eight minutes into the second half through Emanuel Emegha, who finished a well-worked team move at the back post. Emegha, lively throughout, is set to join Chelsea next season.
Palace then squandered two clear chances to retake the lead. Substitute Adam Wharton glanced a close-range effort onto the bar after a defensive mix-up left the goal unguarded, and Penders was later forced into a save to deny Yeremy Pino.
Thirteen minutes from time Strasbourg went in front for the first time. A Julio Enciso free-kick struck the crossbar and 19-year-old Moroccan Samir El Mourabet reacted quickest to smash in the rebound.
The defeat ended Palace’s five-game unbeaten run in all competitions and left them 18th in the Conference League standings.
Manager Oliver Glasner told TNT Sports the result was easy to explain given the clear openings his team missed. He highlighted the two empty-net chances that hit the post and the one-on-one saved by the keeper, saying Palace had too often failed to make their chances count. Glasner urged more players to step up and score, warning that the team cannot rely solely on defensive solidity and needs a third goal to ease matches.
Palace now head into a busy spell with domestic and European fixtures to come as the season progresses.