- Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1
- Advance to UEFA Conference League final
- Ismaila Sarr scores again
Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk tonight was as sweet as honey as Oliver Glasner’s men booked their place in the UEFA Conference League final. The dream of lifting a first-ever European trophy is now just one game away.
Glasner said that his players “want honey again” as they bid to win a second consecutive trophy. That is close to coming to fruition after beating Shakhtar 5-2 across both legs.
The opener came through Daniel Munoz’s deflected cross, which Pedrinho turned into his own net. The visitors equalised Eguinaldo just to make the game interesting heading into the second half.
Palace found a winner, and who else but Ismaila Sarr, who took his tally to nine goals in 12 games. It means the Senegalese attacker is now top of the competition’s goalscoring charts.
It also means Glasner’s troops will be making the trip to Leipzig on May 27th. The Eagles are flying towards yet another major trophy.
Crystal Palace Player Ratings
Dean Henderson – 7
Was his usual reliable self when called into action and could do nothing about Shakhtar’s equaliser. The Palace captain produced an excellent save with his feet in the second half to bail out Maxence Lacroix.
Daniel Munoz – 7
Forced the opener with a clever cross, and the goal was initially awarded to him. The Colombian was lively throughout, bombing down the right channel and putting in several dangerous crosses.
Chris Richards – 7.5
Every single duel went his way and the American didn’t give Shakhtar attackers a sniff in the air. He has been rock solid throughout the season and stood out tonight.
Maxence Lacroix – 6
Not one of the Frenchman’s best nights, but that’s because his standards are so high. Got away with booting the ball at Jaydee Canvot, which required Henderson to deny the visitors.
Jaydee Canvot – 7.5
It is simply astonishing that the French youngster is only 19; you’d think he’d been playing in this Palace team for years. Calm and composed, he has been a real shrewd signing for the Eagles.
Tyrick Mitchell – 8.5
How Palace’s longest-serving player isn’t in contention to make England’s World Cup squad is beyond me. He has been unbelievably consistent and tonight he put in another incredible display, even coming up with the assist for Sarr’s winner.
Adam Wharton – 7.5
Controlled proceedings in the middle of the park and played with such class and poise. Whether it was putting out fires or helping Palace in transition, he thrived.
Daichi Kamada – 7
There was little chance of the Japanese midfielder bettering his display in the 3-1 win from the first leg. But he still worked his socks off and left no blade of grass untouched.
Ismaila Sarr – 8
Now the leading goalscorer in the Conference League and what a season he is having. Not only did he take his strike well but he linked up superbly with the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Munoz.
Jean-Philippe Mateta – 7.5
Shakhtar’s defenders couldn’t live with Mateta whenever a ball was sent forward. The French frontman’s link-up play was fantastic, and he unfortunately didn’t get an assist for an amazing knock on for Yeremy Pino.
Yeremy Pino – 7.5
The Spanish attacker was on song throughout his time on the pitch and produced a stunning finish for what he thought was the opener. VAR intervened cruelly ruling out a deserved goal for an impressive showing.
