Crystal Palace 0-0 AEK Larnaca: Report, result and goals as Eagles stutter at home

Crystal Palace were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by AEK Larnaca in a cagey Conference League last-16 encounter that produced few clear chances at Selhurst Park.

Palace started the brighter of the two sides and forced the first save of the evening inside the opening 10 minutes.

Evann Guessand worked space inside the penalty area and saw his effort pushed away by Zlatan Alomerovic, while Jorgen Strand Larsen also tested the AEK goalkeeper shortly afterwards with a close-range strike.

The hosts continued to probe during the early stages, with Adam Wharton firing a shot wide from distance and Ismaila Sarr later sending an ambitious effort over the crossbar.

AEK struggled to create clear openings but remained organised defensively. Palace pushed forward again midway through the half as Strand Larsen had a shot blocked inside the six-yard area before the home side earned a succession of corners.

Their best opportunity before the interval came in the closing minutes of the half when Kamada missed the target from inside the penalty area. Moments later, Tyrick Mitchell forced another save from Alomerovic after meeting Kamada’s pass inside the six-yard box, but the goalkeeper reacted well to keep the score level.

Second half lacks quality

The tempo dropped slightly after the restart as both sides struggled to create meaningful chances.

Sarr came closest early in the second half when he headed Brennan Johnson’s cross wide from close range. AEK then threatened with a speculative long-range effort from Enric Saborit that drifted narrowly off target.

Palace continued to look the more likely side to find a breakthrough but clear chances remained limited. Johnson fired a shot over the bar from outside the area, while Guessand later forced another comfortable save from Alomerovic after finding space in the centre of the box.

Oliver Glasner introduced Jean-Philippe Mateta and later Yeremy Pino in an attempt to add fresh attacking impetus, but AEK remained disciplined at the back.

Chris Richards came closest for Palace in the closing stages when he headed Brennan Johnson’s corner just over the crossbar from close range.

AEK threatened briefly from set pieces late on, with substitute Enzo Cabrera seeing a close-range header blocked during a crowded scramble in the penalty area.

Palace pushed forward in the final minutes and Guessand had a late effort blocked after meeting Mitchell’s cross, but the visitors held on and will fancy themselves at home in the second leg.