CRYSTAL PALACE FAILED to secure direct qualification to the UEFA Conference League round of 16 after being held to a 2-2 draw by Finnish champions KuPS at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner’s side must settle for a play-off place after the early lead established by a superb Christantus Uche strike was overhauled by goals from Piotr Parzyszek and Ibrahim Cisse.
Justin Devenny hit back in the 77th minute shortly after Clinton Antwi had been sent off for a vicious tackle on Will Hughes, but Palace could not find the winner needed to clinch a top-eight finish in the league phase table.
Glasner made 11 changes in recognition of a schedule that sees the Eagles play two matches in 48 hours with Leeds next up on Saturday.
Ireland U19 George King, who received his first Boys in Green call-up in October, made his debut. Sixteen-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas became their fourth youngest player to ever pull on the shirt.
For a team that Glasner revealed had barely trained together, Palace looked comfortable throughout a one-sided first half that was just missing more goals.
Uche lit the way with a beautiful sixth-minute finish after a slick passing interchange down the right ended with the Nigerian forward finding the corner with a curling shot off the outside of his right foot.
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The goal settled any nerves with Palace in control for the rest of the half, creating a series of half-chances against opponents who were playing out of season.
Drakes-Thomas snatched the ball from a dithering home defence and it fell to Uche who was kept out by a crucial block by Cisse.
Uche was unable to get a shot off as he threaded into the penalty area and then Romain Esse dragged a shot narrowly wide.
The pressure on KuPS’ goal continued into the second half with Benamar looking to pass instead of shoot as he raced in on goal and it proved to be a costly mistake because shortly after the visitors were level.
It was all too easy as Otto Ruoppi charged through a non-existent Palace midfield and with Saku Savolainen supplying the final pass, Parzyszek steered a fine shot into the corner.
KuPS had been rewarded for their first meaningful attack of the game and three minutes later they took the lead when Cisse stabbed Clinton Antwi’s strike into the net as the home defence failed to deal decisively with a corner.
Hughes, Marc Guehi, and Tyrick Mitchell were brought on in the 63rd minute to reinforce a midfield and defence that had started waving the Finns through with Parzyszek having a second goal ruled out for offside.
KuPS suffered a setback when Antwi was shown a red card and moments later Palace equalised when Mitchell crossed to the far post for Justin Devenny to nod home.
On came Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah and despite relentless late pressure, the winner proved elusive.
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King makes debut as Palace settle for play-offs with KuPS draw
CRYSTAL PALACE FAILED to secure direct qualification to the UEFA Conference League round of 16 after being held to a 2-2 draw by Finnish champions KuPS at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner’s side must settle for a play-off place after the early lead established by a superb Christantus Uche strike was overhauled by goals from Piotr Parzyszek and Ibrahim Cisse.
Justin Devenny hit back in the 77th minute shortly after Clinton Antwi had been sent off for a vicious tackle on Will Hughes, but Palace could not find the winner needed to clinch a top-eight finish in the league phase table.
Glasner made 11 changes in recognition of a schedule that sees the Eagles play two matches in 48 hours with Leeds next up on Saturday.
Ireland U19 George King, who received his first Boys in Green call-up in October, made his debut. Sixteen-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas became their fourth youngest player to ever pull on the shirt.
For a team that Glasner revealed had barely trained together, Palace looked comfortable throughout a one-sided first half that was just missing more goals.
Uche lit the way with a beautiful sixth-minute finish after a slick passing interchange down the right ended with the Nigerian forward finding the corner with a curling shot off the outside of his right foot.
The goal settled any nerves with Palace in control for the rest of the half, creating a series of half-chances against opponents who were playing out of season.
Drakes-Thomas snatched the ball from a dithering home defence and it fell to Uche who was kept out by a crucial block by Cisse.
Uche was unable to get a shot off as he threaded into the penalty area and then Romain Esse dragged a shot narrowly wide.
The pressure on KuPS’ goal continued into the second half with Benamar looking to pass instead of shoot as he raced in on goal and it proved to be a costly mistake because shortly after the visitors were level.
It was all too easy as Otto Ruoppi charged through a non-existent Palace midfield and with Saku Savolainen supplying the final pass, Parzyszek steered a fine shot into the corner.
KuPS had been rewarded for their first meaningful attack of the game and three minutes later they took the lead when Cisse stabbed Clinton Antwi’s strike into the net as the home defence failed to deal decisively with a corner.
Hughes, Marc Guehi, and Tyrick Mitchell were brought on in the 63rd minute to reinforce a midfield and defence that had started waving the Finns through with Parzyszek having a second goal ruled out for offside.
KuPS suffered a setback when Antwi was shown a red card and moments later Palace equalised when Mitchell crossed to the far post for Justin Devenny to nod home.
On came Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah and despite relentless late pressure, the winner proved elusive.
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