A much-changed Crystal Palace were forced to settle for the UEFA Conference League knockout stage play-offs after they were held by a 10-man KuPS side in a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park.
Palace finished 10th place in the Conference League standings, meaning two additional games for Oliver Glasner’s side in February after the Austrian boss had already complained about a taxing fixture schedule.
He’ll have his own side to blame for their additional two matches in the new year though as they threw away an early lead against the Finnish champions. Chrisantus Uche’s first-half magic to find the back of the net with a Trivela was cancelled out in the second half.
With three minutes separating the two goals, Piotr Parzyszek and Ibrahim Cisse scored to stun Selhurst Park. Two nearly became three in 10 minutes as a second Parzyszek goal was struck off for offside after a VAR check.
Palace had to rely on a reckless challenge from Clinton Antwi that saw him instantly given his marching orders. Within three minutes of that decision, Justin Devenny headed home an equaliser. Glasner made 11 changes to his side with one eye on their trip to Leeds in under 48 hours.
He handed out three full debuts to an academy trio of George King, Dean Benamar and Joel Drakes-Thomas, but when they needed a goal, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah were introduced late on. Palace came close through Devenny once again, but he was denied by a big stop from KuPS’ Johannes Kreidl.
Palace now prepare for their trip to Leeds on Saturday night, live on Sky, to kick off three games in eight days before the new year, including a Carabao Cup quarter-final at Arsenal on Tuesday, also live on Sky.
More to follow…
