Crystal Palace's marathon European campaign will extend into late winter after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Finnish champions KuPS at Selhurst Park. The result, earned by a late Justin Devenny header, means Oliver Glasner's side finished outside the top eight in their Conference League group and must now contest a two-legged playoff at the end of February.
Youthful Eagles Impress But Falter
With a crucial Premier League fixture against Leeds United looming, Glasner made sweeping changes, fielding a starting XI featuring four teenagers. The young side responded brilliantly. Christantus Uche gave Palace a deserved lead before half-time, finishing a superb move with a curled effort that left the KuPS goalkeeper stranded.
The defensive trio, including debutants George King and Dean Benamar, looked assured, while 16-year-old winger Joel Drakes-Thomas became the club's fourth-youngest ever player. KuPS, whose domestic season ended two months ago, failed to register a shot on target in the first half.
KuPS Fightback and Palace's Response
The Finnish side emerged transformed after the interval, scoring twice in three minutes through Piotr Parzyszek and an Ibrahim Cisse deflection. The quickfire double stunned Selhurst Park and left Palace's European hopes hanging by a thread.
Glasner introduced senior figures Marc Guéhi, Tyrick Mitchell, and Will Hughes to stabilise the game. The momentum shifted decisively when KuPS's Clinton Antwi was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Hughes. Seizing the numerical advantage, Devenny powered in a header from Mitchell's cross to level the score, setting up a frantic finale where both sides chased a winner.
Playoff Prospect and Season Strain
The draw confirms Palace's place in the knockout round playoffs, where they will face KuPS again or Kosovan side Drita. While it extends an already gruelling schedule, it offers fans the novelty of a potential new European destination.
Glasner had already prioritised the league, rescheduling a Carabao Cup tie with Arsenal, and cited the less than 48-hour turnaround before facing Leeds as justification for his team selection. The performance of the academy products provided a significant positive, but the failure to see out the game from a winning position ensures the season's workload just increased.
