3 things we learnt from Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win v Fredrikstad
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second half goal was enough for Crystal Palace to take a 1-0 lead into their second leg tie away in Fredrikstad next Thursday (28 August).
Mateta smartly redirected Will Hughes’ effort with his head to give Crystal Palace a lead in the 54th minute on a night where the hosts struggled to breakdown a stubborn Fredrikstad performance.
Palace enjoyed the better of the first half play, regularly pining Fredrikstad into their own box but Oliver Glasner‘s side struggled to find a way through the visitors’ defences.
Fredrikstad threatened Palace a handful of times on the counterattack with Sondre Sorlokk’s cross narrowly deflecting wide of Dean Henderson’s near post and Johannes Nunez firing narrowly wide late on.
Glasner’s Eagles will head to Fredrikstad next Thursday knowing anything other than a loss will secure them a place in the league phase of the Conference League.
Justin Devenney starts in place of outgoing Eberechi Eze as Marc Guehi starts
Despite the palpable optimism surrounding Palace’s European campaign, outgoing transfer news still dominated the discourse at Selhurst Park heading into tonight’s game.
Eberechi Eze missed out due to his impending move to Arsenal but the Eagles’ other potential outgoing, club captain Marc Guehi, did start the match.
Glasner opted for 21-year-old Justin Devenney in Eze’s stead but the academy graduate failed to make an impression on the game being replaced by Odsonne Edouard 20 minutes from time.
The Austrian coach has options at his disposal to replace Eze in the squad with Devenney and Romain Esse the obvious choices, but the club have also explored a transfer for Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss.
Adam Wharton and Borna Sosa impress
The South Londoners fielded new signing Borna Sosa for his first start at Selhurst Park, with the Croatian left wing-back impressing, particularly going forward, showcasing his wicked open play deliveries into the box and long throw-in ability.
With Eze out of the door, Glasner will be looking for a creative threat on the left flank and the 50-year-old will have been impressed by Sosa’s showing.
Also impressive in the middle of the park was Adam Wharton who marshalled the midfield excellently, controlling possession for a Crystal Palace side who often struggled to breakdown Fredrikstad’s low block.
| Key passes | 1 |
| Touches | 75 |
| Passes completion % | 84% |
| Shots | 2 |
| Tackles | 1 |
Wharton often found himself in the right half space clipping diagonal balls into the box towards Mateta and Ismaila Sarr and moving the ball quickly across Fredrikstad’s back five.
Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr dangerous focal points in new look attack
Mateta scored Palace’s lone goal of the night thanks to his deft header but the Frenchman could have had two if his first half effort hadn’t been deflected onto the post.
The forward proved a handful for the visitors often holding the ball up well and rolling his centre-back without receiving just reward for his efforts.
Sarr looked to carry on his impressive form of four goals in his previous five appearances and had a save at the back post well saved by Martin Borsheim.
If the two are to fill the void of Eze though, they will have to become more clinical against opposition that will give them more competition in the Premier League.