Jean-Philippe Mateta marked his return to the Crystal Palace starting line-up with his first goal since New Year's Day as the Eagles put one foot into the Conference League semi-final with a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the last eight first leg.

Mateta, who hadn't started since January 25, converted from the penalty spot before Tyrick Mitchell capitalised on some calamitous Fiorentina defending to net a second. Ismaila Sarr added a third late on to put Palace into the driving seat going into next week's second leg in Florence.

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After netting three at Selhurst Park for the first time since November, Palace are now on a run of five without defeat and are unbeaten in their last seven Conference League games.

A three-week break for Palace has paid off, with Oliver Glasner's side a different unit from the off. There was a renewed energy to a side that had settled for goalless draws in two of their three matches in the run-up to the international break. Fiorentina, who are five points above the relegation zone in Serie A, struggled to deal with Palace's intense start.

The pace at which Palace began the game culminated in Dodo's late challenge on Evann Guessand in the area. Minutes after Mateta had slotted his spot kick past David de Gea, the former Manchester United goalkeeper had to pick the ball out of the back of his net once more.

Daichi Kamada's ball over the top found an unmarked Daniel Munoz in the area who played it across to Mateta. De Gea saved the France forward's initial effort but Mitchell was there to follow up.

Fiorentina had a short spell in the second half where they began to threaten. However, away from hitting the bar, Henderson remained largely untested before Sarr buried a Kamada cross to seal La Viola's fate in south London.

Mateta: I've dreamt about scoring

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta speaking to TNT Sports:

"What a night. It's been a long time, I didn't play, I didn't start. I'm very happy and very happy my guy (Mitchell) scored as well. Team Mitchell!

"I dreamt about [scoring] for nights. I did and I am so happy."

On message for fans: "They know me, I keep working hard. I'm always here to hope for the victory. Today we did it. It's not finished, we have one more game in Italy."

Glasner: It's what Mateta deserves

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was full of praise for Jean-Philippe Mateta after the game.

"I think that's what JP deserves," he said.

"He always gives 100 per cent effort to the team, 100 per cent effort for Crystal Palace. He's scored so many important goals for us, and he also had a tough period now. It was six weeks, he couldn't hit the ball or train on the pitch, and he was really working hard to get back.

"I'm pleased for him, I'm pleased for us, and I'm pleased for Crystal Palace, because he's a great player, he's a great striker. As I mentioned before, we will need him. I think he will need to rest against Newcastle, but it's great to have Jorgen Strand Larsen back."

Glasner added: "It was a great performance from my team, especially in the first half and from minute 70 until the end. 20 minutes after half-time, a little bit of problems as Fiorentina started more aggressively in the second half, we lost the ball too quickly.

"But overall, the energy today here at Selhurst with our fans, from the team, was great and I think it was also the result that showed the chances we had and I'm really pleased with what I have seen today."

Story of the match in stats

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