Crystal Palace held 2–2 by Besiktas as Mateta’s scoring return fails to secure Europa League win

Crystal Palace surrendered a second-half lead to draw 2–2 at Besiktas, with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s return to the scoresheet insufficient to secure a second Europa League victory.

Yeremy Pino and Mateta scored four minutes apart after the interval to overturn Wilfred Ndidi’s opener, but Junior Olaitan equalised in the 73rd minute.

Besiktas subsequently had Umit Akdag sent off for a challenge on Jorgen Strand Larsen, yet Palace could not find a winner against ten men. The result leaves Pierre Sage’s side with four points from three league-phase matches.

Pino and Mateta turn the game around

Mateta, making his first start since the opening day of the season, had an early goal ruled out for offside.

Instead, Besiktas took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Ndidi, leaving Palace needing another European comeback after their 3–2 defeat at Lyon a week earlier.

This time, Palace moved ahead. Pino equalised in the 51st minute before Mateta struck in the 55th, turning a half-time deficit into a lead within ten minutes of the restart.

According to Sky Sports’ match report, it was Mateta’s first goal since last season’s Conference League final.

His contribution gave Palace a tangible positive after successive defeats by Lyon and Brighton. It also put them in position to take three points from Istanbul.

Olaitan equaliser denies Palace victory

Olaitan brought Besiktas level with a shot from outside the penalty area, ending Palace’s advantage with 17 minutes of normal time remaining.

Akdag’s dismissal then gave the visitors a numerical advantage for the closing stages, but the hosts held on. AS’s account of the match described Palace’s missed opportunities to extend their lead before Olaitan struck.

Strand Larsen also limped off late on, as reported by The Times. The nature of the problem and any recovery timetable remained unconfirmed.

Four points from three for Sage’s side

The draw ends Palace’s two-match losing run, but the sequence of the second half makes this a missed opportunity as well as a response to Sunday’s 5–0 defeat at Brighton.

Pino and Mateta supplied the goals to recover from going behind. Palace’s inability to protect that lead, then make their extra player count, prevented a more convincing answer to the concerns surrounding Sage’s position after the Brighton defeat.

With five league-phase fixtures remaining, Palace have time to improve their European position. Their immediate task is to turn the attacking response shown in Istanbul into a result they can sustain through to full-time.