Crystal Palace’s European campaign will continue through a February playoff after a home draw with KuPS denied them direct passage to the Conference League last 16.
With a league visit to Leeds scheduled less than two days after the final whistle, Oliver Glasner rotated heavily, combining squad players with academy prospects for a fixture that still carried significant importance.
Joel Drakes-Thomas, aged 16, marked history by becoming the youngest English participant in the competition, while Dean Benamar, 17, and George King, 18, were also handed their first senior appearances.
The hosts made the perfect opening when Christantus Uche bent an inventive outside-of-the-boot strike into the net inside five minutes, a moment that briefly lifted Palace from ninth to third and into an automatic qualification position.
Second-half swing and missed chance
Momentum shifted soon after the interval as the visitors struck twice within a short spell, turning the contest on its head.
Piotr Parzyszek converted from the penalty spot at 50 minutes before Ibrahim Cisse followed up with another finish moments later to put KuPS in front.
Palace responded late on after Clinton Antwi received a straight red card for a challenge on Will Hughes, reducing the Finnish side to 10 players.
Justin Devenny rose to head home in the 76th minute, but despite the numerical advantage, the hosts could not force a decisive third goal, ending the night 10th in the standings and outside the top eight.
Congested calendar and European resolve
The draw added further pressure to an already demanding schedule, with three fixtures crammed into six days and two extra continental ties now awaiting in the new year.
Glasner’s selection reflected the strain of balancing competitions, especially with a Premier League clash at Elland Road followed closely by a Carabao Cup quarter-final trip to Arsenal.
Although Palace lacks the depth enjoyed by several domestic rivals, the teenage trio coped well under the spotlight and showed no sign of being overwhelmed.
Recent months have delivered major milestones, including FA Cup success, a Community Shield triumph, and a rise to fifth in the league, and despite missing automatic progression by two points, the club’s European journey remains alive ahead of a January draw against either Sigma Olomouc or Zrinjski Mostar.
