A late strike from debutant Bakary Sako gave Crystal Palace a 2-1 win over Aston Villa this afternoon.
Villa started the game brightly, with Rudy Gestede's physicality causing problems for the hosts, but the best early chance fell to Gabriel Agbonlahor. The Villa veteran latched onto Ashley Westwood's pass for a one-on-one opportunity against Alex McCarthy, but the goalkeeper came out on top.
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Carlos Sanchez carved out an opportunity to give the visitors the lead on 24 minutes, when the Colombian international stole possession from Jason Puncheon and moved past Yohan Cabaye to launch a strike, but his effort flew over the bar.
The best chance for the hosts came on 38 minutes, as Sako took a shot from 25 yards, but his effort was comfortable for Brad Guzan.
Sako came close to opening the scoring after the break, after Jordon Mutch found the Mali international with a first-time cross, but Micah Richards produced a last-ditch tackle to stop the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man.
The hosts believed they had finally opened the scoring on 60 minutes, when substitute Dwight Gayle produced a curling strike that deflected off James McArthur before finding the net, but the Scottish midfielder was offside.
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Palace did take the lead ten minutes later through Scott Dann, who rose above Ciaran Clark to score a header from a Puncheon corner.
The Eagles looked comfortable, but Villa produced a goal against the run of play on 78 minutes to level the scores, as debutant Adama Traore produced a low cross which deflected off Palace defender Pape Souare and into the net.
However, Palace secured the win on 88 minutes through Sako, who drilled a shot past Guzan from a tight angle to take the three points.
Stephen Topping
