Crystal Palace 2 Aston Villa 1: Bakary Sako's debut goal gives Pardew's side three points

Sako strike: The new signing gives Palace victory
Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Guiseppe Muro22 August 2015

Bakary Sako scored a late winner on his debut to give Crystal Palace a 2-1 win against Aston Villa.

Sako found the net with a brilliant curling effort three minutes from time as Palace recorded their second win of the season.

The goal capped a fine individual display from Sako, who moved to Selhurst Park on a free transfer in the summer and looks a good signing by Alan Pardew.

Villa thought they had earned a point when Pape Soure scored an own goal after Scott Dann had headed Palace ahead. But Sako grabbed the winner to give Palace three points and their first home win of the season.

Pardew started Sako with Tottenham target Yannick Bolasie absent after the winger was given compassionate leave because of a family bereavement.

Opener: Scott Dann gives Palace the lead
Alex Broadway/Getty Images

Gabriel Agbonlahor had the best chance of a poor first half but his scuffed shot was saved by the legs of Alex McCarthy. It was a real let for Palace, who never got going in the opening period.

Pardew reacted at half time by bringing on Jordon Mutch and Dwight Gayle for Wilfried Zaha and Glenn Murray and Palace were much better after the break.

They thought they had gone ahead on 63 minutes when Gayle’s shot deflected off James McArthur and found the net. Palace players celebrated but referee Keith Stroud, after a long consultation with his assistant, adjudged McArthur was in an offside position and ruled it out. Replays suggested it was just the right decision.

Sako then fired wide before Palace deservedly went ahead 20 minutes from time. Puncheon floated a left-wing corner to the back post and Dann rose highest to power a header into the back of the net.

Equaliser: Adama Traore and Rudy Gestede celebrate
Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Sako went close to doubling the lead but Villa equalised when substitute Adama Traore did well down the right and his cross was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Soure.

It would have been harsh on Palace but Sako gave them victory when he arrowed a shot past Brad Guzan.

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