When Ismaila Sarr slotted home before the clock could even strike the 30-second mark, not even the travelling Crystal Palace fans could believe their luck.
Simply, it was the start of dreams for the Eagles and the forward who now holds a record to his name.
Not even Oleh Ocheretko’s second-half goal could spoil the party. The travelling South Londoners, courtesy of further goals from Daichi Kamada and substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen, ensured that they had yet more reason to party in the streets of Kraków.
Kamada is finally finding his place at Crystal Palace
The jury was out for some time, but Kamada may well have found his place at long last in South London.
The midfielder played a pivotal part in Kraków, scoring a well-taken goal to regain his side’s lead just 11 minutes after Shakhtar equalised. Any doubts that threatened to emerge were quickly put to bed in style.
It wasn’t a bolt from the blue, either. Palace were well deserving of their lead, having been left to wonder how they hadn’t taken it moments earlier courtesy of Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The Japan international and his teammates weren’t done there, however. It was his pinpoint pass which found Strand Larsen in behind, as the Norwegian secured a much-needed goal – just his fourth since joining the club in January.
By the time that full-time arrived, it wouldn’t have been absurd to suggest that Kamada had enjoyed his best game for Crystal Palace. And similar could be said for Tyrick Mitchell.
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Losing Marc Guehi would be a major blow for just about any club in the Premier League. Gaining Guehi has very nearly turned the title in Manchester City’s favour. That’s the quality he holds. So replacing that quality was never going to be an easy task.
On paper, it always looked like it would be Maxence Lacroix who stepped up. The reality, however, couldn’t be more different. Against Shakhtar, it was Tyrick Mitchell who continued to step up – securing more defensive involvements than anyone else on the pitch.
|
Mitchell vs Shakhtar |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
90 |
|
Defensive contributions |
14 (most on the pitch) |
|
Tackles |
8 |
|
Duels won |
12/18 |
|
Touches |
50 |
The wingback was simply everywhere on the biggest stage that he has played on all season. In the absence of Guehi, it was Mitchell who stepped up to become Palace’s defensive leader.
What stood out most alongside his contributions was his duel success. Not every player can say they’ve won 12/18 of their duels in a European semi-final, but Mitchell certainly can.
Of course, this consistency should come as little shock. So far this season, the 26-year-old has started 33 of Crystal Palace’s 34 Premier League games and nine of their 13 Europa Conference League games.
It’s the type of reliability that Guehi gave Oliver Glasner for so long. The England international started five of the six European games he had played for the club this season, as well as 21 of the 23 Premier League games. Only a player of Mitchell’s consistency could replace that.
The defender has certainly received his flowers as of late, too. Teammate Mateta told reporters last month: “He’s my guy, I’ve been here with him for a few years now… He’s a fantastic teammate and a machine.”
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