Crystal Palace secured their first home win of the Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Selhurst Park. Summer signing Bakary Sako marked his debut with a dramatic 87th-minute winner after Scott Dann had put the Eagles ahead.
Dann opened the scoring in the 71st minute, heading in Jason Puncheon's corner. However, Villa equalised against the run of play six minutes later when Papa Souare deflected substitute Adama Traore's cross into his own net.
Palace had a goal ruled out for offside earlier in the second half, with James McArthur adjudged to have been in an offside position when he turned in Dwight Gayle's shot. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy impressed for the hosts, making two fine saves to deny Gabriel Agbonlahor and Jack Grealish.
Traore, a £7m signing from Barcelona, provided a lively cameo off the bench, using his pace and power to create Villa's equaliser. He repeatedly beat Palace defenders before delivering the cross that led to the own goal.
Manager Alan Pardew now faces decisions over the futures of strikers Glenn Murray and Dwight Gayle, both linked with moves away. Murray was subdued before being replaced at half-time by Gayle, whose movement caused more problems for Villa's defence.
