Mateta Scores as Crystal Palace Draw 2-2 at Ten-Man Beşiktaş in Europa League
Crystal Palace drew 2-2 with Beşiktaş in a lively Europa League match in Istanbul on Thursday, October 22, in matchday 3. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a fine goal on his first start since the opening day, and Ümit Akdağ was sent off in the second half. Palace could not turn their extra man into a winner.
Mateta made an immediate impact. In the first minutes of the match, he swept the ball home with the first chance of the game, but VAR ruled that he had been marginally offside in the build-up. Adam Wharton's cross flashed across the face of goal in the 13th minute and only just evaded him. In the 30th minute, Mateta connected with a volley from Wharton's corner, but Beşiktaş goalkeeper Alexander Nübel held on to it.
Beşiktaş took the lead right before the break. Wilfred Ndidi scored in first-half stoppage time (45+2') to make it 1-0, and Palace went in at half-time behind.
The second half turned quickly. In the 51st minute, Yéremy Pino levelled the score with a goal set up by Anan Khalaili. Four minutes later, in the 55th minute, Mateta put Palace ahead. He read a loose back pass from a Beşiktaş defender, ran in on goal and smashed the ball into the roof of the net. It was Mateta's first goal since he scored the winner in the Conference League final in May. Palace also had a solid penalty appeal when Kamada was nudged off the ball inside the area, but nothing was given.
Mateta was replaced by Jørgen Strand Larsen just after the hour, and Ismaïla Sarr replaced Dwight McNeil. Beşiktaş then equalised in the 73rd minute. Substitute Junior Olaïtan made quick work of the Palace defence and fired past the diving Walter Benítez.
Beşiktaş were reduced to ten men in the 77th minute, when Akdağ was sent off for a second yellow card after a clumsy challenge on Strand Larsen. The Palace striker was forced off with an injury, and he was replaced by Eddie Nketiah, who fired into the side-netting with his first chance from an awkward angle. Palace could not find a winner.
The point ended a two-game losing run for Pierre Sage's side, who had lost 5-0 at Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.