Crystal Palace Make History Amid Eze's Emotional Exit

It was a night of mixed emotions at Selhurst Park — one that will be remembered for both celebration and farewell. For the first time in nearly three decades, Crystal Palace played a European fixture, and even better, they won it — 1-0 against Norwegian side Fredrikstad in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off. But while history was being made on the pitch, hearts were heavy in the stands. Why? Because their talisman, Eberechi Eze, was missing — and for a reason that was hard to ignore.

Eze wasn’t just absent due to a knock or tactical decision. His move to Arsenal is now all but done. He didn’t even make the squad. Fans came in wearing “Eze 10” shirts, many carrying hand-drawn signs thanking him for the magic he brought since arriving from QPR five years ago. He’d become their star. And now, he’s gone.

After the match, manager Oliver Glasner confirmed what most already knew: Eze’s time at Palace is over. “Ebs will not play for us anymore,” he told Channel 5. “We wish him all the best, but we have to move on.” And that’s exactly what the club tried to do that night.

The match itself started in a festive mood. Fireworks, singing, a true sense of occasion — this was a proper European night. And unlike their previous foray into Europe 27 years ago — a forgettable Intertoto Cup exit to Samsunspor — this time, Palace delivered. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored their first-ever European goal with a powerful header in the second half. It was a huge moment. Not just a win, but a piece of club history.

Still, the game wasn’t without tension. Palace struggled at times, clearly missing Eze’s creativity. Glasner admitted as much afterward — and he didn’t hold back. He said the club had known there was a “high chance” Eze would leave, but they failed to replace him early enough. “That’s on us,” he said bluntly.

And it’s not just Eze. Captain Marc Guéhi is also linked with a move, reportedly to Liverpool. Glasner even joked he might have to put on his boots again if Guéhi leaves — that’s how thin their squad is right now. Only 17 outfield players were available for the first leg, and the registration window for the second leg is now closed. So whoever is in the squad now… that’s it.

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But let’s not forget the bigger picture. Palace did win. They also lifted the FA Cup and Community Shield earlier this year. Yes, they were bumped from the Europa League to the Conference League because of UEFA’s ownership rules — and yes, fans are still angry about that — but the journey continues.

Chairman Steve Parish has promised that reinforcements will come. The club is being linked with new signings like Bilal el Khannouss and Christos Tzolis. Whether those deals happen in time — or whether they’re the right fit — remains to be seen.

But for now, Crystal Palace fans can hold onto something special: a European win, a historic first goal, and a bittersweet goodbye to a player who lit up Selhurst Park. It’s not the end — just the start of a new chapter.

Crystal Palace’s Bittersweet European Return

It was a night that Crystal Palace fans will not soon forget—one filled with both history-making joy and a sense of farewell. At Selhurst Park, the Eagles played their first European match in almost three decades, and what a return it was: a 1-0 win over Fredrikstad in the first leg of their Conference League play-off. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s header secured Palace’s first-ever European victory, sending the home crowd into raptures. But behind the cheers, there was also the heavy shadow of a goodbye.

Eberechi Eze, the club’s star midfielder and fan favorite, was missing from the squad, and by the end of the night it was confirmed that his move to Arsenal was all but complete. Supporters filled the stands in shirts marked with “Eze 10” and held signs thanking him for the magic he had brought since arriving from QPR five years ago. For many, the win was celebrated through bittersweet tears, knowing their talisman would no longer wear Palace colors.

Manager Oliver Glasner was clear afterward: “Ebs will not play for us anymore. It looks like wishing him all the best for the new club.” His words underlined the reality that Palace must now adapt quickly, with the transfer window ticking away and replacements still not secured. Glasner even joked that, given the lack of defensive options, he might have to lace up his own boots if captain Marc Guehi—also linked with a move away—were to leave before the second leg.

Yet this night was about more than departures. Palace fans had been waiting 27 years for a European stage that felt meaningful. The last time, in the much-maligned Intertoto Cup, their campaign ended with a heavy defeat to Samsunspor. This time feels different. Fireworks lit up the sky as the players walked out, the FA Cup and Community Shield trophies were paraded before kickoff, and Selhurst Park buzzed with the optimism of a team on the rise.

Still, the road ahead is complicated. Palace were originally bound for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup, but were demoted to the Conference League due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. Fans have not hidden their frustration—anti-UEFA banners have been a common sight, and the bitterness lingers. Add to that the growing list of transfer concerns, and the atmosphere is one of celebration laced with worry.

Chairman Steve Parish tried to strike a balance, praising Eze while emphasizing the need to “move past it” and find the right reinforcements. Potential targets like Bilal El Khannouss and Christos Tzolis are on the radar, but time is running short. With the second leg against Fredrikstad looming on August 28 and the transfer window closing just days later, decisions will have to come fast.

So, on this historic night, Crystal Palace carved a place in European history books. The Eagles soared, but they did so with wings that will need mending. Fans celebrated victory, yet their voices carried a note of goodbye. It was a reminder that football, for all its glory, often asks supporters to cheer through heartbreak—sometimes all in the same night.

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