“An overall brilliant performance and great result against a strong team,” was the midfielder’s view on the game, speaking to Palace TV.

“I thought we started quite poorly, especially with our pressing. But credit to them, they're a good technical team. They moved the ball well and it took us a bit of time to get into the rhythm.

“But after the first 10 or 15 minutes, we created plenty of chances and deserved the win in the end.”

The second-half saw Palace suffer a brief scare when – 2-0 up going into the interval – Alkmaar pulled a goal back, but Ismaïla Sarr struck again moments later to restore the two-goal lead.

With there being plenty of substitutions on both sides in the second period, chances proved rarer after the break, with Hughes stating: “I wouldn't necessarily say it was d

See Full Page