Crystal Palace’s European adventure goes on after Oliver Glasner’s side successfully navigated a tricky plastic pitch and Norwegian opponents who were determined to make things hard for the FA Cup winners. After being denied direct entry into the Europa League by Uefa, a gritty defensive performance meant Palace equalled a new club record of 13 matches unbeaten while playing in the top flight and ensured they will take their place in Friday’s draw for the Conference League after all.
More than 1,700 made the journey from south London to Fredrikstad on an occasion many Palace supporters had never thought would happen. There were times when they would have feared that the club’s first away match in a major European competition would also end in disappointment as Andreas Hagen’s side piled on the pressure after their narrow defeat in the first leg.
But Glasner, who said that he is expecting more clarity on captain Marc Guéhi’s future after he put in another outstanding performance on what could be his final appearance for the club, was able to mark his 51st birthday by recording another significant milestone in Palace’s history.
Ever meticulous in his preparations, the Palace manager had made sure his squad were given an opportunity to train on Fredrikstad’s artificial pitch 24 hours before kick-off, with Adam Wharton admitting it was a “difficult” surface to play on. The Austrian manager complained beforehand that he had only 14 available outfield players after Will Hughes and Odsonne Édouard were ruled out and attempts to reinforce his squad frantically continued.
At least Glasner was able to select the experienced Daichi Kamada in a more attacking role on his return from injury, not to mention Guéhi after the former defender had suggested he might be forced to bring his boots for the second leg if his captain was sold to Liverpool. Asked whether there had ever been any doubt that the 25-year-old would play, Glasner appeared to suggest that developments on Guéhi’s future are anticipated once this fixture was out of the way.
“It’s very important,” he said. “I’m speaking to Marc almost every day and it was clear he would play this game in Norway and then let’s see what will come. But I know that I can rely on Marc and we can count on him.”
Fredrikstad were given the weekend off to prepare for the second leg after their spirited performance at Selhurst Park last week and looked much more intent on attacking in front of their home supporters. They have endured a disappointing second campaign in the top flight having won the Norwegian Cup last season and knew any chance of salvaging something from their season relied on them producing an upset.
Having allowed Chris Richards a free header that he spurned in the 10th minute from Borna Sosa’s pinpoint corner, Fredrikstad gave the Palace supporters filling the end behind Dean Henderson’s goal plenty of cause for concern with their prowess from set-pieces and throw-ins, with a towel provided for defender Daniel Eid to dry his hands before delivering each one.
After his goal proved the difference between the two sides in the first leg, Jean-Philippe Mateta felt hard done by when he was booked for catching the Norwegian side’s captain Leonard Owusu before the Frenchman headed Guéhi’s cross straight at Martin Borsheim. But Daniel Muñoz – usually Palace’s most potent attacking weapon down the right flank – found himself being pushed back as Fredrikstad grew in belief. Henderson looked mightily relieved when he flapped at a long throw and Guéhi hacked the ball away to safety.
Palace haven’t lost since a 5-0 thrashing by Newcastle all the way back in April and finally looked to be finding their feet at the start of the second half when Muñoz swung over a dangerous cross that eluded everyone. Fredrikstad struggled to recapture the momentum they had built up before the break as Wharton began to dictate proceedings in central midfield on his first experience of an away game in Europe.
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Whatever happens this season, there will surely be plenty more to come for the 21-year-old, who will be anxiously waiting to see if he has earned a call-up from Thomas Tuchel on Friday after missing out on the German’s first two England squads.
Hagen made a series of substitutions in the second half as Fredrikstad roused themselves for a big finish. But Henrik Skogvold volleyed over in injury time before Mateta missed the chance to wrap things up at the death after Borsheim rushed back to save when he went up for a corner.
