Crystal Palace drew 2-2 with 10-player KuPS at Selhurst Park in the Conference League, a result that sends both clubs into the play-offs. Palace stayed 10th in the league phase table, despite late pressure and changes that included Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah, as KuPS goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl resisted heavy second-half pressure.
The game swung sharply after the interval. KuPS overturned Palace’s early lead with two quick goals, then survived a red card for Clinton Antwi and a long spell under siege. Justin Devenny headed a late equaliser, yet Palace could not turn dominance into a decisive winner during a tense finish.
Palace’s control in stoppage time brought huge chances. Devenny almost claimed a second goal, while Nketiah also
went close. Both efforts were beaten away by Kreidl, who produced vital saves to preserve the draw. The result means Palace must now progress through a Conference League play-off rather than directly advancing.
The hosts had seized the early momentum. After just five minutes, Christantus Uche opened the scoring with a curling effort, struck with the outside of the boot into the top-left corner. Soon after, Palace almost doubled the lead when they pressed KuPS high, but Ibrahim Cisse’s block denied Uche another goal.
Devenny made a strong case for more regular minutes. The midfielder scored Palace’s second and also supplied an assist, making key contributions at both ends of the pitch. Romain Esse added energy in wide areas, completing three dribbles and winning 11 duels, more than any other player wearing Palace colours on the night.
Sixteen-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas also impressed. Drakes-Thomas delivered a team-high seven crosses and created two chances, matching four other Palace players in that metric. These contributions aligned with Oliver Glasner’s decision to rotate, as Glasner had highlighted player welfare before a demanding spell of three fixtures in five days across all competitions.
Crystal Palace and KuPS trade blows in Conference League clash
KuPS changed the match early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Piotr Parzyszek lashed the ball into the roof of the net after Saku Savolainen’s build-up work. Three minutes later, Cisse turned from defender to scorer, diverting Antwi’s shot past Walter Benitez with an improvised flick that stunned Selhurst Park.
The Finnish side almost extended the lead further. On 68 minutes, Parzyszek finished at the back post, triggering loud celebrations from the away section. However, a VAR review found offside in the build-up, and the goal was ruled out, keeping Palace within reach heading into the final stages.
Palace’s route back opened with a key dismissal. Antwi received a straight red card in the 73rd minute for a foul on Will Hughes, with the follow-through catching the midfielder high on the leg. Palace capitalised almost immediately as Devenny arrived at the far post to head Tyrick Mitchell’s cross beyond Kreidl.
The match stats underlined Palace’s wastefulness and KuPS’s efficiency. Palace attempted 14 shots and posted an expected goals value of 1.57, while KuPS generated only three shots and an xG of 0.26. Despite that low total, the visitors scored twice and ended a run of four European away games without a goal.
The travelling KuPS support had waited for an attacking display on the road in Europe and finally saw their team deliver. Palace, meanwhile, left the pitch knowing missed chances had proved costly, as a strong performance from several younger players could not prevent a Conference League play-off route from being required.
Our final league phase fixture in the Conference League finishes level. pic.twitter.com/AYObdjcQHVCrystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 18, 2025
