Crystal Palace 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk result – Ismaila Sarr hits winner on the night as Eagles fly into UEFA Conference League final 5-2 on aggregate

Ismaila Sarr scored again as Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 in the UEFA Conference League to reach their first major European final.

The Eagles led 3-1 from the first leg and controlled the second stanza of this semi-final at Selhurst Park to prevail 5-2 on aggregate, with Sarr netting the winner in the second half to become the outright top scorer in the competition with nine goals overall.

Oliver Glasner’s men saw an early strike from Yeremy Pino ruled out for offside, but the hosts did take the lead on the night when Pedro Henrique turned Daniel Munoz’s cross-shot into his own net on 25 minutes.

Shakhtar continued to play positive, attacking football which led to a fantastic equaliser from Eguinaldo nine minutes later.

Jean-Philippe Mateta rattled the post with an acrobatic effort just prior to the interval, but the home side did regain their lead on 52 minutes when Sarr steered in Tyrick Mitchell’s lovely cross via the post.

Palace did not look in danger beyond that and will now face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final on May 27 in Leipzig.

Wharton: "It's just amazing. This is the best Selhurst has been in my just over two years here. The atmosphere has been incredible, you can tell how much it means to south London. Packed stadium. It's just an incredible feeling and one I'll never forget."

He continued: "Everywhere in the club, the team, the staff, the fans, throughout the club, everyone just wants to do well for the club. First trophy for the club in 120 years and we're trying to get another for the fans. It means everything to them and honestly, you get goosebumps, it's incredible."

On Glasner's impact: "Massive. You saw when he came in, we were in incredible form in the Premier League and then last year, the FA Cup an incredible run. And then this year in Europe, first time in Europe. For a club like Crystal Palace, it's massive and it's incredibly difficult. So many more fixtures, small squad, we were running thin in December and January, it was tough. But we grinded through it, the fans stuck with us and this is the reward. We get one final chance to make a massive statement on Palace's history."

Mateta: "I'm very happy. First time Palace in European competition, we did it in the final and now we focus on the final."

"I'm beaming ear to ear. When the manager came in, he challenged our mindset but he also said we could achieve special things. This group of players, what they've done over the last year is something special.

"They've lost players, new players have come in but the fans deserve this, the players deserve this for the commitment that they've shown and the manager deserves it for the commitment that he's shown."

"It's incredible. Obviously, for this football club you see the connections between the players and the supporters. It's fantastic, it's unbelievable. The manager came in, he made the team believe we can win any game. It's been a difficult season with the amount of games we've played but we've delivered another final which is fantastic.

"It's been difficult. Just the amount of games, a small squad leading to December/January but we've managed to push through now.

"When you're coming from a game like that last season, it gives you confidence, it makes you hungry for the next thing. We've got an ambitious group of players, don't forget that. And it's pretty incredible, to even get into a European competition with Crystal Palace, let alone make a final. And we need to deliver something special, and we need to get back what we deserve."

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"Brilliant. Shout out to Shakhtar over the two legs, they're a good, young team, good manager. But Palace were brilliant and managed the two legs so, so well. Bring on Leipzig. Bring on Leipzig."

Crystal Palace 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk.

One minute added.

Clyne on for Munoz.

Kamada and Wharton off.

Hughes and Lerma on.

The hosts have looked more likely to grab a third than Shakhtar beginning any sport of recovery and there is an even greater air expectation around Selhurst Park now.

Meanwhile, Shakhtar are still probing at Selhurst Park, but they haven't troubled Henderson in quite some time.

Palace just need to manage their way through this from here. It'll feel like a long 10 minutes or so, but Shakhtar are no longer playing with the same purpose as they were prior to Sarr's strike.

Another nervy moment for Riznyk who allows the ball to roll right across the goal-line before knocking a pass to the right.

Brennan Johnson on, Pino off.

Riznyk denies Strand Larsen with his feet after the forward turned neatly to get a shot away from Munoz's clever pass.

Pedrinho off, Lucas Ferreiro on.

Dmytro Riznyk takes an age clearing his lines and is lucky not to be charged down by Strand Larsen.

As it stands, it will be Palace v Rayo Vallecano in the final in Leipzig.

The belief is flowing through that home support and almost being sucked out of Shakhtar with each passing second.

Palace should make the final from here, barring any late disasters...