- Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk
- Jorgen Strand Larsen scored the third
- Norweigan striker relieved
Jorgen Strand Larsen was relieved to get on the scoresheet in Crystal Palace’s 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk tonight, admitting his confidence had “dropped a little bit.” The Norweigan striker came on in the second half and netted his side’s third.
Palace took the lead after just 21 seconds when Ismaila Sarr scored the earliest goal in UEFA Conference League history. But Shakhtar hit back in the second half through Oleh Ocheretko.
Daichi Kamada, the man of the match, put the Eagles back in front with a fine finish. The Japanese midfielder then assisted Strand Larsen, who finished off a counter-attacking move late on.
Strand Larsen on Scoring in 3-1 Win
Strand Larsen has encountered a topsy-turvy start to life at Selhurst Park. He recently lost his starting place in Oliver Glasner’s team to Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The 26-year-old alluded to this when speaking to TNT Sports after the game:
“I needed that, I was unlucky last game against Liverpool. Feel like the confidence had dropped a little but always just kept on going and it’s tough because it’s two good players fighting for one spot but to come here and score a goal is an amazing feeling.”
Strand Larsen joined Palace from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January for a club record £48m. He has now scored five goals in 16 games across competitions for the South Londoners.
“Third goal is massive”
Palace were put under the cosh by Shakhtar at times and they capitalised by hitting the Ukrainians on the counter. That was exactly how Strand Larsen bagged his side’s third with Glasner’s men breaking and eventually finding their third of the night.
Strand Larsen highlighted its importance:
“It’s important to not lose our heads and there’s another leg to go. We are 3-1 up but there’s still a game to play and we stayed in it and obviously to get the third goal is massive. Important for me and very important for the team.”
The second leg takes place at Selhurst Park next Thursday (March 7th). Should Palace prevail and reach the final they will face either Rayo Vallecano or Strasbourg in Leipzig.
