Crystal Palace must accept the Conference League playoff spot after rescuing a degree in opposition to 10-man KuPS on the ultimate night time of group stage fixtures at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner’s aspect went into the tie in opposition to the Finnish champions figuring out victory would safe a top-eight end and automated qualification to the final 16.
Christantus Uche gave the much-changed hosts an early lead earlier than targets from Piotr Parzyszek and Ibrahim Cisse in fast succession after the restart turned the sport on its head.
Clinton Antwi was then dismissed for the guests for a wild lunge which opened the door for Palace to reclaim momentum which they capitalised on courtesy of Justin Devenny’s equaliser.
Each groups now progress to a two-legged playoff for a spot within the spherical of 16.
Eagles strike early on in dominant first half
Glasner made 11 adjustments to the crew that began in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. And it took simply 5 minutes for a much-changed Palace to interrupt the impasse.
A neat passing transfer down the right-hand aspect ended with the ball falling to the ft of Uche on the sting of the field. The Nigerian worldwide minimize inside together with his left to open up a capturing alternative earlier than bending a sumptuous curling finish into the far corner with the outside of his right.
It was a begin that lifted the Selhurst park devoted off their ft earlier than they’d barely had an opportunity to take their seats. For the visiting contingent and departing head coach Jarkko Wiss, it was a nightmare opening.
Uche was practically gifted a second on the 15-minute mark after KuPS had been caught enjoying out from the again, however his shot from six-yards out was effectively blocked.
Palace went shut once more on 27 minutes, the vigorous teenage debutant Joel Drakes-Thomas’ teasing cross simply inches away from discovering the top of Romain Esse after KuPS goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl was caught flapping.
Esse had one other probability moments later when he discovered a yard of house within the field however his effort from a decent angle skidded the unsuitable aspect of the submit.
The momentum swings the way in which of tourists
However for all of Palace’s dominance within the first half, they discovered themselves pegged again quickly after the break. A uncommon enterprise ahead from the guests resulted in Parzyszek swept in his aspect’s first away purpose within the competitors after a slick passing transfer down the centre of the pitch.
A comeback that appeared extremely unlikely earlier than the restart was full simply three minutes later, Samuli Miettinen’s scuffed shot from the sting of the world prodded dwelling by defender Cisse.
Shortly earlier than the hour mark, the Finnish champions thought they’d prolonged their lead additional, just for the purpose to be dominated out for offside.
With Glasner’s males wanting rattled, the Austrian supervisor launched various first-team regulars in a bid to wrestle again momentum within the tie.
A type of thrown on, Will Hughes, was on the receiving finish of a reckless lunge by Antwi that resulted in a straight pink card for the KuPS participant.
Palace took full benefit. Simply minutes later, Tyrick Mitchell’s cross was headed in by Devenny to degree issues up.
With the hosts attempting to make their numerical advanatage rely, Devenny noticed his volley on the again submit saved by Kreidl earlier than Eddie Nketiah then prodded an effort that the KuPS keeper was equal to because the guests held on to assert a vital level.
