Palace start Euro quest as Eze bids goodbye
Crystal Palace made history with a 1-0 win over Fredrikstad in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round, yet the night felt split. The win marked the club’s first step in Europe in 27 years, but fans also faced the loss of key man Eberechi Eze, who is set to join Arsenal.
At Selhurst Park, many wore shirts with 'Eze 10' and held signs of gratitude for the midfield star. Coach Oliver Glasner later said Eze would not play for Palace again. Still, joy broke out when Jean-Philippe Mateta struck a header in the second half, giving Palace their first goal in a European competition since 1998.
The club entered this run fresh from their FA Cup and Community Shield wins, which had first placed them in the Europa League. That slot was cut by UEFA due to club share rules, leaving Palace to fight in the lower tier.
Chairman Steve Parish noted that life must go on after Eze, with new signings due. Yet, more exits may come, as Marc Guéhi is linked with a move to Liverpool.
