Crystal Palace moved up to ninth in the Conference League league phase as they produced a professional performance to beat AZ Alkmaar 3-1.

In his programme notes, Eagles manager Oliver Glasner made it clear his side needed to respond with a win after a surprise defeat to AEK Larnaca in their last European outing, but in the early stages of Thursday's contest it looked like the well-drilled Eredivisie side were going to make them work very hard for it.

Then the momentum shifted. Moments after Ismaila Sarr rattled the post, Palace were awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro fouled the Senegal international.

After a lengthy VAR determined Sarr was onside, Jean-Philippe Mateta aimed for the bottom-right corner but his tame spot-kick was pushed away with relative ease.

Image: Jean-Philippe Mateta's penalty was saved by Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro

Sarr then forced a superb save and Will Hughes' volley came back off the crossbar, before VAR intervened again after Maxence Lacroix fired in a fierce half-volley. Mateta appeared to try and attack Marc Guehi's downward header before Lacroix struck it.

After a check that lasted two minutes and 54 seconds, it was confirmed neither...