Palace Settle for Draw but Keep European Dream Alive
So here’s what’s been happening with Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League, and it was one of those nights that felt encouraging and frustrating at the same time. Palace drew 2-2 with Finnish champions KuPS at Selhurst Park in their final league-stage game, and while it wasn’t the win they were hoping for, it was enough to keep their European journey going.
The evening actually started in the best possible way. Just five minutes in, Christantus Uche produced a moment of real quality. A curling strike from the edge of the area was sent into the net, and suddenly Palace were ahead and flying. At that stage, the Eagles were briefly sitting in an automatic last-16 spot, and everything looked under control. The atmosphere felt positive, especially with a youthful Palace side showing confidence and energy.
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However, things changed quickly after the break. Palace were made to pay for missed chances when KuPS struck twice in the space of just three minutes. First, Piotr Parzyszek equalised from close range, and then Ibrahim Cissé put the visitors ahead, completely flipping the game on its head. For a short spell, Palace lost their structure, and that lapse was punished.
There was another twist when KuPS were reduced to 10 men after Clinton Antwi was shown a straight red card in the 73rd minute. With the numerical advantage, Palace pushed forward, and the pressure finally told. Justin Devenny rose to meet a superb cross from Tyrick Mitchell, heading home to make it 2-2. Selhurst Park came alive again, and it felt like a late winner might be coming.
Despite sustained pressure in the closing stages, that decisive goal just wouldn’t arrive. The final whistle confirmed a draw, meaning Palace finished 10th in the league table and missed out on a top-eight finish by a small margin. As a result, qualification for the last 16 will now have to come the hard way, through a two-legged play-off in February.
Still, there were plenty of positives to take. Manager Oliver Glasner fielded an inexperienced side due to a brutal fixture schedule, with several teenagers handed debuts. Those young players were tested at European level and held their own, which will be seen as valuable experience. Palace remain in four competitions, and the squad depth is clearly being stretched, but belief remains strong.
So while this wasn’t the perfect night, Palace are still alive in Europe. The path forward may be tougher, but the dream is very much intact, and Selhurst Park will have another big European night to look forward to.
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