LONDON, April 10 -- Jean-Philippe Mateta inspired Crystal Palace to a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in their Conference League quarter-final, first leg on Thursday.

Mateta, making his first Palace start since a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed in January, converted from the penalty spot after 24 minutes after Evann Guessand was fouled by Fiorentina defender Dodo.

The French striker also had a role in Palace's second goal seven minutes later as Tyrick Mitchell finished off after Mateta's close-range effort had been blocked by Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea.

"I keep working hard, and I'm always here to push for the victory," Mateta told TNT Sports.

"Today we did it, but it's not finished. We have one more game in Italy."

Fiorentina pu...