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David de Gea 'tied up in knots' as Crystal Palace's UEFA Conference League clash with Fiorentina delayed for bizarre reason

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Crystal Palace claimed a 3-0 victory over Fiorentina in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final. In the most unlikely scenes of the evening, the second half was delayed because a number of streamers got caught in the netting of a goal. Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea had his feet tied up by paper at one stage. The second leg will be live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Need a hoover? Kick-off delayed at Selhurst Park as tape engulfs goal

Video credit: TNT Sports

There was a bizarre delay to the second half of the UEFA Conference League quarter-final first leg between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina, when ticker tape thrown onto the pitch got tangled up in the goal.

Palace fans created a terrific atmosphere at Selhurst Park, with thousands of streamers thrown onto the pitch at the start of the game and some going on again as the players came out for the second period.

The problem was that there was so much of it in the goalmouth, with much of it tangled up with the netting, that play needed to be delayed.

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For quite a while, it was left to one member of staff to help clear up the mess, while the unfortunate Fiorentina goalkeeper David De Gea got himself tangled up with the streamers.

TNT Sports commentator Sam Matterface said: "There is a lot of paraphernalia still on the pitch. David de Gea is trying to avoid getting tied up in knots.

"They need a hoover, don't they? Or one of those Andrex puppies to come and sort it out.

Highlights: Palace dominate Fiorentina as Mateta breaks drought

Video credit: TNT Sports

"It might need more than just the one geezer doing it. It's a manful effort. Even [Fiorentina player Marin] Pongracic has joined in trying to clear the pitch.

"I'm not sure the best idea is just throwing it behind the goal, because it's going to get blown back on again."

What added to the farce was clearly that it was just the one person dealing with it. Matterface continued to describe the unlikely action.

"I'm surprised he can walk to be fair. He's auditioning for a role in the new Mummy film I think," Matterface said.

"Come on, get some friends. Look, the stewards are helping now. That's better lads, come on."

"That looks like my bill when I go on a Champions League game with Fletch and Ally," co-commentator Robbie Savage added.

Matterface replied: "I bet you've never paid it."

In the meantime, an important game was supposed to be resuming. Palace were 2-0 ahead after a brilliant first-half performance, with the goals coming from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell, and the players were waiting patiently to continue.

"The players are trying to keep themselves occupied and warm, having a little dance to Insomnia by Faithless," Matterface said.

"There might have been a few sleepless nights for some of those Fiorentina players in the first half."

Savage added: "I think this is the instrumental version of Insomnia - it's been going on a while."

Eventually the game could carry on and Palace added a late goal through Ismaila Sarr for a 3-0 win.

The Eagles are now big favourites to reach the semi-finals before next week's second leg in Italy, which will be live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Before that, Oliver Glasner's Palace team host Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday.

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

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