Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Crystal Palace 2-1 Aston Villa: Debutant Sako seals the points

Bakary Sako enjoyed a dream Crystal Palace debut as he ensured a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa with a late strike.

Crystal Palace sealed a dramatic 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday as Bakary Sako scored an 87th-minute winner on his Premier League debut.

Villa new-boy Adama Traore looked to have snatched a draw on his bow in English football after forcing an own goal, but Sako collected a pass from Scott Dann and finished superbly to seal maximum points for Alan Pardew's side.

In a clash that burst into life after the break, Pardew's men were initially frustrated when Dwight Gayle saw an effort ruled out for a deflection via the offside James McArthur.