Crystal Palace beat Fiorentina 3-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League quarter-final at Selhurst Park on Thursday evening.
Jean-Philippe Mateta got an early chance to give Palace the lead, rising high to head Daniel Munoz’s cross wide from close range.
At the other end, Robin Gosen could not get the precise contact on Giovanni Fabbian’s delivery, failing to test Dean Henderson in the Palace goal.
Munoz was involved again in the hosts’ next opening, sending a cross into the area where Even Guessand was waiting, but the Ivorian could not hit the target.
Guessand played a role in Palace’s opener as Dodo brought him down in the penalty area. Mateta then converted resulting spot-kick, slotting past goalkeeper David de Gea.
Tyrick Mitchell doubled the Eagles’ lead in the 31st minute, with his shot striking the post before finding its way into the bottom corner.
Fiorentina nearly halved the deficit shortly after the break when Fabbian struck the woodwork.
Henderson was called into action for the first time, saving Albert Gudmundsson’s header and Roberto Piccoli’s low strike in quick succession.
Mateta missed a big chance to add a third for Palace, heading wide from a promising position.
Ismaila Sarr completed the scoring in stoppage time, heading beyond De Gea, putting Palace in a commanding position ahead of next Thursday’s second leg.
It is a quick turnaround for Oliver Glasner’s side, who host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
