Sunday 23 August 2015 11:19, UK
Crystal Palace winger Bakary Sako says he is "buzzing" after scoring the winner for his new club on debut.
Sako, 27, who recently signed on a free transfer from Wolves, netted in the 87th minute to seal Palace's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
"It was a very good day for me," said Sako.
"We have three points, I played ninety minutes and scored a goal so I'm buzzing and happy to start that way.
"I was confident [before the match]. The whole team didn't play that well during the first half. We tried to correct some mistakes and I think we did brilliant to get the goals.
"I knew before the goal came that I was going to hit it that way so I was confident. I'm very happy it went in. The atmosphere was amazing, there was incredible support from the fans. I want to thank them for the support."
Palace captain Scott Dann put his side in front with a powerful header midway through the second half. A Papa Souare own goal briefly brought Villa back on terms, but Sako's winner three minutes from time ensured the home team would go on to take all three points and move up to fourth in Premier League table.
"I think we deserved to win," said Dann.
"Their shape in the first half, we found it a little bit tough. We reacted more in the second half and got ourselves a head of steam and got the goal.
"Unfortunately they've pegged us back but we kept going. I think other teams might have ended up losing that game but we showed the character we've got and have come away with the three points.
"It's nice to get on the score sheet and help the team out when things aren't happening up there. I probably should score a few more and I'm delighted obviously for Bakary to come in and score on his debut.
"Fair play to the manager, he changed it half time, changed the personnel and the shape a bit. I think it worked for us, we've come away with three points and that's what we wanted."
