Crystal Palace were held to a 2-2 draw by Besiktas in the Europa League, despite briefly turning the game around after falling behind. The result brought an end to Palace’s two-game losing run.
Jean-Philippe Mateta had the ball in the net inside five minutes, but VAR ruled that the forward had moved marginally offside. He remained a threat during the opening half, with a further effort from a corner saved by Besiktas goalkeeper Nubel.
Besiktas took the lead against the run of play in first-half stoppage time when Wilfred Ndidi struck firmly with the hosts’ first shot on target. Palace responded six minutes after the interval, as Yeremy Pino converted Anan Khalaili’s cutback. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before a VAR review overturned the decision.
Palace moved ahead four minutes later when Mateta intercepted a loose back pass, carried the ball into the penalty area and finished emphatically into the roof of the net. It was his first goal since the UEFA Conference League final.
Besiktas levelled in the 73rd minute through substitute Junior Olaitan, who sent a low shot into the corner. The hosts were reduced to 10 men when Umit Akdag was dismissed for a two-footed challenge on Jorgen Strand Larsen, but Palace could not find a winner. Strand Larsen later went off injured as Besiktas held on for a point.
