Key Takeaways:
- Crystal Palace were held to a 2:2 home draw against KuPS, finishing tenth in their group standings
- KuPS ensured a place in the playoffs with their away point last night
- Sixteen-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas became the youngest Englishman to feature in the Conference League
Missed Opportunity at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace will have to face the playoffs in order to progress to the Conference League round of sixteen after a 2:2 draw with KuPS at home. The draw relegated the Eagles to tenth place in the standings, dashing hopes of direct qualification. Conversely, KuPS made the most of the point, securing their own progression into the playoff stage.
Our final league phase fixture in the Conference League finishes level. pic.twitter.com/AYObdjcQHV
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 18, 2025
Match Analysis and Key Moments
The home side looked in control early on, with Christantus Uche finding the net in the fifth minute after a superb individual effort. Despite several opportunities in the first half, Palace could not capitalise further. Their inability to convert chances was punished after the break, as Piotr Parzyszek and Ibrahim Sissoko struck for the Finnish visitors within a three-minute spell.
KuPS suffered a setback in the 73rd minute when Clinton Antwi received a red card for a foul on substitute Will Hughes. Palace swiftly took advantage of the numerical superiority, with Justin Devenny heading in an equaliser. Despite sustained pressure during the closing stages, the London outfit could not find a decisive goal.
Youth Given a Chance Amidst Demanding Schedule
This fixture marked the beginning of a challenging six-day period, during which Palace are scheduled to play three matches. Manager Oliver Glasner rested a number of senior players, turning instead to the club’s younger talents. Sixteen-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas entered the record books as the youngest Englishman to feature in the Conference League. Dean Benamar and George King also made their first-team debuts.
