Wilfred Ndidi scores as 10-man Besiktas hold Crystal Palace to Europa League draw

Wilfred Ndidi scored his first European goal for Besiktas as the Turkish side held Crystal Palace to a 2-2 draw despite being reduced to 10 men in Istanbul on Thursday.

The Super Eagles captain gave Besiktas the lead in first-half added time, but Palace overturned the deficit early in the second half before Junior Olaitan equalised for the hosts.

Both teams had arrived looking to respond to heavy domestic defeats. Besiktas had lost 2-0 to Trabzonspor, while Palace were beaten 5-0 by Brighton, setting the tone for a lively contest in front of a raucous home crowd.

Besiktas registered their first shot on target in the second minute of added time. Salih Ozcan sent a long pass forward for Ndidi, who raced through and beat Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez with a composed finish.

The goal was Ndidi’s first in European competition for the club and put Besiktas in front at the interval.

Palace levelled six minutes after the restart when Yeremy Pino converted Anan Khalaili’s low delivery.

The visitors then completed the turnaround four minutes later. Jean-Philippe Mateta reacted quickest to score his first goal since last season’s Conference League final and give Palace a 2-1 advantage.

Besiktas restored parity in the 73rd minute through Benin Republic international Junior Olaitan, who found the net to make it 2-2.

The home side’s task became more difficult three minutes later when Umit Akdag was sent off for a wild challenge on Jørgen Strand Larsen. The Palace forward was unable to continue and had to be substituted.

The result leaves Besiktas eighth in the 36-team league standings with seven points. They will travel to Scotland to face Celtic in Matchday 4, while Crystal Palace will host Hoffenheim.

In the other Europa League fixtures involving African players, AC Milan, without the injured Samuel Chukwueze, suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Bournemouth.

Nathan Tella came on as a substitute and Victor Boniface was not listed as Bayer Leverkusen defeated OFI Crete 2-0. Tochukwu Nnadi’s Marseille were beaten 1-0 by Sturm Graz, while Juventus recovered from falling behind to draw 2-2 with Rennes.