Superb Uche strike not enough for Crystal Palace as they settle for Conference League play-offs

Crystal Palace will enter the UEFA Conference League play-offs after a 2-2 draw against Finnish champions KuPS at Selhurst Park denied them direct qualification to the round of 16.

Oliver Glasner’s side initially took the lead through a superb strike from Christantus Uche, but KuPS responded with goals from Piotr Parzyszek and Ibrahim Cisse, overturning Palace’s advantage.

Justin Devenny found an equaliser for the Eagles in the 77th minute, shortly after KuPS’s Clinton Antwi was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on Will Hughes.

Despite the numerical advantage, Palace could not secure the winning goal needed to clinch a top-eight finish in the league phase.

Manager Glasner made 11 changes to his starting line-up, acknowledging the demanding schedule that sees his team play two matches within 48 hours, with Leeds United next up on Saturday.

open image in gallery

Christantus Uche gave Palace the lead with a superb strike (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Sixteen-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas became their fourth youngest player to ever pull on the shirt and there were also debuts for fellow academy teenagers Dean Benamar, and George King, although the bench was stacked with experience.

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.

open image in gallery

Justin Devenny equalised for Palace late on but it wasn’t enough (Getty Images)

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 late Palace equalised when Mitchell crossed to the far post for Justin Devenny to nod home.