Crystal Palace settle for Conference League play-offs after being held by KuPS

Crystal Palace failed to secure direct qualification to the UEFA Conference League round of 16 after being held to a 2-2 draw by Finnish champions KuPS at Selhurst Park.

Oliver Glasner’s side must settle for a play-off place after the early lead established by a superb Christantus Uche strike was overhauled by goals from Piotr Parzyszek and Ibrahim Cisse.

Justin Devenny hit back in the 77th minute shortly after Clinton Antwi had been sent off for a vicious tackle on Will Hughes, but Palace could not find the winner needed to clinch a top-eight finish in the league phase table.

Glasner made 11 changes in recognition of a schedule that sees the Eagles play two matches in 48 hours with Leeds next up on Saturday.

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.

The pressure on KuPS’