Palace the third English victim to suffer defeat against club from 'Farmers League' this week

By Alessandro Schiavone at Stade de la Meinau, Strasbourg

Conference League Matchday 4

Strasbourg 2-1 Crystal Palace

Goals: Mitchell 35' (CP), Emegha 53' (S), El Mourabet 77' (S)

Crystal Palace snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as Emanuel Emegha and Samir El Mourabet rendered Tyrick Mitchell's maiden European goal useless in a 2-1 defeat.

The clash, between two of the competition's top dogs, was labelled by many as an 'anticipated final' given the talent at both sides' disposal and the fact they both occupy fifth spoth in their respective leagues.

And Chelsea's Alsacian sister club from eastern France completed a dream week for Ligue 1 with the 'Farmers League' staggeringly doing the treble over the Premier League.

Palace's loss was preceded by Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur suffering defeats to Olympique Marseille and PSG earlier in the week.

Mitchell gave the south Londoners the lead with a hard and low finish into the far corner on 35 minutes after being released by AC Milan target Jean-Philippe Mateta who held off a couple of challenges with his back to goal before swivelling and feeding the unmarked left-back in the box.

Yet it could all have been very different if Palace... had had a knack of putting the ball into an empty net from distance.

Two minutes after going 1-0 up, Ismaila Sarr intercepted Hogberg's underhit pass destined for goalkeeper Mike Penders outside the box yet saw his shot crash against the inside of the post with no one in goal.

Emegha then equalized in the 53rd minute by getting on the end of Nanasi's delivery.

Lightning struck twice when Adam Wharton smartly robbed Doukoure's pocket with the Belgian keeper again off his line. Yet the ex-Blackburn Rovers starlet was denied by the bar as fans could not believe their eyes.

Yeremy Pino then missed a one-on-one with Chelsea's loanee.

That was the moment of no return for the Eagles.

Former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Enciso's bending free-kick hit the crossbar and El Mourabet was on hand to convert the follow-up and win the game for his side.

Palace, who should have had an easier Europa League game against Malmö at home if they had not been demoted to the Conference League, could do with improving their shooting accuracy ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Sunday. Even without using any of their goalkeepers for the exercise.

Just like English football observers and people in general should perhaps stop their Ligue 1 mockeries.

Libérté, égalité, trois à zéro.