Crystal Palace edge past nine-man AEK in Conference League
AEK Larnaca 1 - 2 Crystal Palace (Crystal Palace won 2-1 on aggregate)
Ismaila Sarr struck twice as Crystal Palace edged past nine-man AEK Larnaca in extra time.
Author | Ajay
Stadium | AEK Arena
The Senegal forward opened the scoring in the 13th minute, giving Oliver Glasner’s side an ideal start in Cyprus after a goalless first leg in south London a week earlier.
Enric Saborit levelled with a header in the 63rd minute, but his evening unravelled soon after when he was dismissed for a second booking 10 minutes later, forcing the hosts to see out the remainder of normal time with 10 men and take the tie into extra time.
It was Sarr who proved decisive in the 99th minute, turning in a low cross from Daichi Kamada at close range to set up a last-eight meeting with Fiorentina.
The closing stages were overshadowed by further disorder. Petros Ioannou was sent off for a reckless studs-first challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta, while objects were thrown on to the pitch by sections of the home support.
Victory also offered Palace a measure of revenge for their league-phase defeat to the Cypriot side at Selhurst Park in October.