Crystal Palace must settle for Conference League play-offs after a 2-2 draw with KuPS at Selhurst Park on a dramatic final night.
Crystal Palace will have to take the longer route in the UEFA Conference League after drawing 2-2 with KuPS. The result leaves Oliver Glasner’s side in the knockout phase play-offs. Palace finished 10th in the league table. Automatic qualification slipped away on a dramatic night.
With a demanding schedule ahead, Glasner named a heavily rotated starting side. Several academy players were handed senior debuts at Selhurst Park. The approach nearly paid off early. Palace started the match on the front foot.
The hosts struck after just five minutes through Christantus Uche. The forward curled a superb right footed effort into the top corner. It briefly lifted Palace into the automatic qualification places. The goal settled early nerves.
Palace dominated much of the first half. Joel Drakes Thomas showed confidence on his European debut. Dean Benamar and George King also looked composed. KuPS struggled to escape their own half before the interval.
Despite the pressure, Palace failed to extend their lead. Uche went close again but was denied by a crucial block. Romain Esse dragged a shot wide. The missed chances would prove costly.
The second half changed the tone completely. KuPS equalised in the 50th minute through Piotr Parzyszek. He finished calmly after good work by Saku Savolainen down the right. Palace were caught cold.
Just three minutes later, the visitors took the lead. Ibrahim Cissé turned home a loose ball from close range. Selhurst Park fell quiet as Palace suddenly trailed. The Finnish champions sensed an upset.
KuPS nearly added a third goal soon after. Parzyszek found the net again but VAR ruled it out for offside. Palace were struggling to regain control. Glasner turned to his bench for answers.
The match shifted again in the 73rd minute. Clinton Antwi was shown a straight red card for a foul on Will Hughes. KuPS were reduced to ten men. Palace immediately increased the pressure.
The equaliser arrived three minutes later. Tyrick Mitchell delivered a deep cross from the left. Justin Devenny rose highest to head home at the back post. The goal restored belief inside the ground.
Palace pushed hard for a winner late on. Jean Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah were introduced. Devenny and Nketiah both had chances in stoppage time. KuPS goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl held firm.
Palace recorded 14 shots across the match. Six of those were on target. KuPS scored twice from just three attempts on goal and an expected goals of 0.26 xG. Clinical finishing kept them alive.
The draw leaves Palace two points outside the top eight. They finished level with several sides but lost out by two points. Despite that, progression is still secured. The path is now tougher and they must negotiate a two-legged play-off.
Uche’s early goal was a moment of real quality. Devenny impressed with a goal and an assist. Young players handled the occasion well overall. However, the defensive lapse after the break proved decisive.
KuPS deserve credit for their resilience. Even with ten men, they defended with discipline. Palace struggled to break them down late on. The missed opportunities lingered.
This was the first of three matches in six days for Palace, who were forced to name an understrength side because of the quick turnaround before the Leeds United game on Saturday. Palace will discover their play-off opponents in January. The tie will be played over two legs in February. The second leg will be at Selhurst Park. Before then, Palace travel to Leeds in under 48 hours before playing Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Tuesday..
