Eagles in EPL, 'plucked chickens' in ECL: Cypriot side upsets Palace in London

Just three weeks ago, the football public and the media were falling over themselves to praise Crystal Palace, which were on a 19-game unbeaten run, leaving teams like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, etc. in the dust. At the same time, it was the greatest undefeated streak in the club's history.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, they soon became an example of how things can quickly turn around in football, as they are currently winless in three consecutive matches. Their incredible run ended just two days after reaching #19, as Palace lost to Everton on the road in the Premier League.

Better than Barca, Bayern, Arsenal... Can anyone beat Palace?

After the international break, they shared spoils with Bournemouth at home thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta's added-time penalty. And while occasional failures in clashes against EPL sides like the Toffees and Cherries are expected, last night Oliver Glasner's men gave their fans something no one saw coming.

Namely, after the opening UEFA Conference League victory over Dynamo Kyiv (2-0), Palace lost at home to the Cypriot AEK Larnaka and stunned 23,000 people at Selhurst Park, and who knows how many more in South London.

The Austrian gaffer sent his most potent lineup to the pitch, not wanting to risk anything, but the ball just refused to cross the goal line. Even though the Eagles dominated the game and had as many as 15 shots - while the rivals had only four - just one of their efforts went on target.

On the other hand, AEK seized their only opportunity following the 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot's poor back pass, scored the winner in the 51st minute over Riad Bajic, and caused the biggest upset in the current Conference League campaign, recording their second win in as many matches.

Last night, the EPL Eagles became "plucked chickens," and they'll need to wake up as soon as possible. The problem is it won't be easy, as they'll face the Premier League table-toppers, Arsenal, at the Emirates in two days, and then Liverpool at Anfield in the EFL Cup.

Nevertheless, if anyone can rise like a phoenix, it's Glasner's crew. Those 19 games are a reminder and proof of that.

UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 2

Thursday

AEK - Aberdeen 6-0 (3-0)

/Koita 11, 18, Eliasson 27, Marin 55, Jovic 81, Kutesa 87/

Breidablik - Kups 0-0

Drita Gjilan - Omonia 1-1 (1-1)

/Manaj 11 - Masouras 45/

Hacken - Rayo Vallecano 2-2 (1-1)

/Lindberg 41, Brusberg 55 - Garcia 15, Ratiu 90+13 pen/

Rapid - Fiorentina 0-3 (0-1)

/Ndour 9, Dzeko 48, Gudmundsson 88/

Rijeka - Sparta Praha SUSPENDED

Shakhtar - Legia 1-2 (0-1)

/Meirelles 61 - Augustyniak 16, 90+4/

Shkendija - Shelbourne 1-0 (0-0)

/Barett 90+2 (og)/

Strasbourg - Jagiellonia 1-1 (0-0)

/Panichelli 79 - Stojinovic 52/

AZ Alkmaar - Slovan B. 1-0 (1-0)

/Mijnans 44/

CS Universitatea - Noah 1-1 (1-0)

/Etim 38 - Mulahusejnovic 73/

Crystal Palace - AEK Larnaca 0-1 (0-0)

/Bajic 51/

Hamrun - Lausanne 0-1 (0-1)

/Diakite 38/

Lincoln RI - Lech Poznan 2-1 (1-0)

/Gomez 33, Rutjens 88 - Ishak 77 pen/

Mainz - Zrinjski 1-0 (1-0)

/Weiper 24/

Samsunspor - Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 (2-0)

/Musaba 2, Mouandilmadji 33, Holse 62/

Shamrock - Celje 0-2 (0-2)

/Kovacevic 33, 40/