Fredy Montero double downs Crystal Palace in Cape Town friendly

Crystal Palace have been defeated 2-0 by Sporting Lisbon in the final of the inaugural Cape Town Cup.

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The Premier League side, who included Alex McCarthy among their ranks for the first time, fell to two Fredy Montero goals in the closing 20 minutes.

Just three minutes had passed when Jordon Mutch forced Rui Patricio into making a fine save in the friendly match.

Both sides continued to probe away in the first half without truly troubling at either end, until Jefferson Nascimento's free kick forced McCarthy into making a finger-tip save.

Dwight Gayle, denied a penalty at the end of the opening 45 minutes, tested Patricio with a half-volley in the first real attack of the second period, which the Portuguese did well to collect.

Despite the Eagles looking bright for large parts, it was Sporting who took the lead when Montero's free kick crept inside McCarthy's near post.

James McArthur came close to levelling up the other end moments later, but Montero made sure of the win by knocking in a second following a mistake at the back by Joel Ward.