Crystal Palace beat Fredrikstad 1-0 at Selhurst Park with Jean-Philippe Mateta's second-half header securing the victory in the Europa Conference League play-off first leg. Selhurst Park hosted continental football for the first time. Eberechi Eze was withdrawn from the squad amid an imminent transfer to Arsenal and his absence affected Palace's creativity. Palace dominated possession and carved out 25 attempts but lacked the cutting edge to extend the lead. Fredrikstad defended compactly, relied on long throws and rare counters. Marc Guehi, captaining and advancing from centre-back, produced three efforts and two key passes but Palace repeatedly missed clear chances.
Jean-Philippe Mateta's second-half header proved the difference as the Eagles edged Norwegian visitors Fredrikstad 1-0 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off. It was a historic evening in South London, with Selhurst Park hosting continental football for the first time. Yet the build-up was dominated by off-field matters. Eberechi Eze, the club's talismanic playmaker, was withdrawn from the squad amid an imminent transfer to Arsenal.
His absence loomed large across the 90 minutes, as Oliver Glasner's side carved out 25 attempts on goal but lacked the cutting edge to build a commanding lead ahead of next week's return leg in Norway. The tone of the night was set early. Palace controlled possession from the first whistle, Fredrikstad dropping into a compact shape and relying heavily on long throws and rare counter-attacks to relieve pressure.
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