Report: Palace set for play-offs after KuPS draw

Summary:

• Oliver Glasner makes 11 changes from the side beaten by Manchester City – with Palace debuts for Joél Drakes-Thomas, Dean Benamar and George King
• 2: Sosa picks up the first yellow card of the evening
• 5 – GOAL: Uche bends a fantastic effort beyond Kreidl into the far corner to score five minutes into his first start at Selhurst
• 26: Uche has a chance of a second but fails to hit the target when well placed
• 37: Esse shoots just wide after bursting into the area
• HT: KuPS 0-1 Palace
• 50 – GOAL: Parzyszek equalises against the run of play
• 53 – GOAL: Cisse deflects a shot into the net beyond Benítez leaving Palace with work to do
• 58: Parzyszek has the ball in the net but the assistant referee’s flag is up
• 64: Palace make a triple substitution, with Guéhi, Hughes and Mitchell brought on
• 73: Antwi sees red for a wild challenge on Hughes
• 76 – GOAL: Devenny heads home from close range to get Palace level
• FT: KuPS 2-2 Palace

Once again, Selhurst Park felt like a proper European cauldron, with a magnificent atmosphere provided by both sets of fans in the early stages.

The first roar of approval of the night came after nice work from Dean Benamar down the left flank, the wing-back one of three debutants in Oliver Glasner’s team.

But it was a player making his first start at Selhurst Park who would provide the first moment of magic and bring Palace fans to their feet just five minutes in.

Taking a pass from Justin Devenny, Christantus Uche produced a wonderful piece of skill on the edge of the box to turn a yellow shirt. As space opened up, rather than shoot on his left, he opted to bend a stunning shot with the outside of his right boot right into the top corner.

Palace had the perfect start on a decisive evening.

There was temporary concern not long after 20 minutes when the goalscorer went down to receive treatment, but after staying on, the Nigerian forward continued to threaten the KuPS backline.

In the 25th minute he was on the end of a clever Justin Devenny pass, only to be dispossessed when about to pull the trigger.

At the other end the much-changed Palace defence looked assured, marshalled by strand-in captain Jefferson Lerma, with Jaydee Canvot and debutant George King tidy in possession.

Joél Drakes-Thomas was also enjoying his opportunity with the first-team, his cross nearly finding Borna Sosa, only for KuPS goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl to tip the ball away.

Romain Esse was also looking lively, shooting just past the post after bursting into the visitors’ penalty area.

The Eagles looked threatening with every attack and had a possible penalty shout waved away just before the break, Ibrahim Cisse going to ground to stop Uche getting a shot away, with the ball striking his hand on the way.

Palace were sixth in the table as it stood at the break, meaning they were still on the hunt for further goals to cement a direct place in the Round of 16.

But, against the run of play, it was KuPS who struck first after the break. Saku Savolainen drove forward, before the ball was set back to striker Piotr Paryszek – his first time finish giving Walter Benítez no chance.

With the Eagles stunned, the Finnish champions took advantage and made it a quickfire double.

Benítez punched the ball out from a corner, but Clinton Antwi hit it back towards goal with the ball deflecting in off Cisse and give the visitors the advantage.

Palace survived a major scare immediately after when Paryszek tapped home from close range, only for Tuval Koltunoff’s flag to be raised for offside – VAR confirming it was the correct call.

With half an hour left, Glasner introduced Will Hughes, Marc Guéhi and Tyrick Mitchell as Palace attempted to salvage something.

They were given a lifeline when Antwi was dismissed for a late lunge on Hughes, leaving KuPS down to ten men.

Immediately Palace took advantage. Mitchell whipped in a delicious cross from the left-wing, met by a brave Devenny header.

Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah were immediately introduced as the Eagles went for broke. Mitchell nearly turned home an effort on the spin, but the KuPS defence proved hard to break down for a third time.

Nketiah then flashed an effort over from distance, with Devenny going close to his second, but the clock appeared to have run out.

And despite an additional five minutes, Palace couldn’t find a winner, meaning we finish the league phase in 10th place with ten points from our six games.

That means a two legged play-off will be contested in February, which Palace will need to navigate to qualify for the Round of 16.

The Eagles return to action against Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday evening (20:00 GMT).

Palace: Benítez (GK), Canvot, Lerma (Guéhi 64), King (Nketiah, 76), Benamar (Hughes 64), Rodney, Devenny, Sosa (Mitchell, 64), Drakes-Thomas, Esse, Uche (Mateta, 76).

Subs: Henderson (GK), Matthews (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Wharton, Pino, Casey.

KuPS: Kreidl (GK), Savolainen, Pennanen (Toure, 65), Parzyszek (Konate, 77), Arifi, Oksanen, Cisse, Miettinen, Antwi, Hamalainen (Ricardo, 65), Ruoppi.

Subs: Hakala (GK), Pitkänen (GK), Voutilainen, Voutilainen, Sadiku, Luyeye-Lutumba, Lötjönen, Armah, Golubickas.

AS IT HAPPENED