Crystal Palace had their wings clipped when Oliver Glasner confirmed his end-of-season departure back in January. Four months later, the Austrian’s irrepressible Eagles are now soaring towards Conference League supremacy. If winning the FA Cup was already beyond supporters’ wildest imaginations, they’re now just 90 minutes away from going one better. Continental glory in Leipzig – including Europa League qualification – is firmly within reach. In truth, it’s no secret the hard work was done last week in Krakow but Palace have never done things in half-measures under ambitious Glasner. A scrappy own goal and Ismaila Sarr’s 19th of the season in all competitions made sure of victory now Spanish side Rayo Vallecano lay in wait.
After surviving an awkward early scare when Shakhtar frontman Kaua Elias dragged a tame effort wide, Palace thought they had pipped themselves ahead.
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Chris Richards went long, Jean-Philippe Mateta deftly flicked a header in behind and Yeremy Pino raced through and finished cooly – only to be ruled offside following a VAR check. Fifteen minutes later, hungry Palace did land the first-half dagger they craved. Adam Wharton dropped his shoulder to create a yard before firing a fizzing shot that Shakhtar stopper Dmytro Riznyk parried to the side of the box. Jet-heeled Daniel Munoz was first to react and his attempted cutback deflected off Pedro Henrique before squirming in off the post. Raucous Selhurst Park exploded but the security of a three-goal cushion was short-lived. The Ukrainians swiftly restored a flicker of hope when Eguinaldo finished admirably, cooly placing into the top corner of Dean Henderson’s net. It was a stern reminder that the job was not yet finished as Glasner turned his back in dismay. Palace’s defensive shape and compactness created space – as it has done throughout the entirety of the 51-year-old’s tenure – on the counter attack.
View 2 ImagesCrystal Palace have booked their spot in the Conference League final(Image: Getty Images)
Galloping Colombian cheat code Munoz flew up the flank before Mateta met the wing-back’s floated cross with a thunderous acrobatic bicycle kick which rattled the post. Henderson had to be alert to keep out Kaua Elias’ low drive and it proved to be a pivotal stop as moments later, Palace forced themselves back in front on the night. Ismaila Sarr burst into the box to stab home Tyrick Mitchell’s dangerous low delivery, sending raucous Selhurst Park into a state of ecstasy. The Senegal international arrived in south east London with fractured confidence in August 2024 following a troubling 13-month spell at Marseille. But having now hit six Conference League goals in his past five European outings, the statistics do the talking. The ex-Watford winger, who showed flashes of quality at Vicarage Road, has already repaid every penny of his £12.5million transfer fee and then some. Should he power Palace over the line in Germany on May 27, he could well go down as the best buy in the club’s illustrious 165-year history.
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