Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad LIVE
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half header made all the difference on Thursday as Crystal Palace edged a narrow win over Fredrikstad to open their Conference League campaign. With Eberechi Eze out of the squad - ill according to Oliver Glasner but set to join Arsenal according to others - the south London outfit were devoid of attacking creativity, content to simply loose cross after cross over the Fredrikstad box.
Throughout the first half, few created much threat, if any. They could still have opened the scoring, though, as Mateta rattled the post and Ismaila Sarr forced a save from Martin Borsheim. The match was deadlocked at half-time, but Mateta changed that shortly after the break, flicking Will Hughes’ looping volley beyond the ‘keeper. They again went close in the late stages as Daniel Munoz took his turn to hit the post, but Fredrikstad then responded with a huge chance of their own. They countered at pace, missing narrowly with a shot which could have turned a celebratory evening sour.
It is only a narrow lead for the Eagles, who travel to Norway for the second leg next week. Catch up with the action as it happened below!
Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad
- GOAL! Mateta opens the scoring
- Kick off: 8pm, Selhurst Park
- How to watch
- Starting XIs
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
21:52 , Arthur FerridgeA frustrating performance that nearly ends with Fredrikstad grabbing an equaliser. Palace survive and will take a slender lead to Norway. Blimey...
FULL TIME: Crysal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:51 , Arthur FerridgeCrystal Palace make a winning if unconvincing start to life in Europe!
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:50 , Arthur Ferridge90+3mins: Fredrikstad counter apace out of nowhere and Palace are caught backpedalling, but the crucial shot is just wide.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:48 , Arthur Ferridge90mis: Lerma heads the corner wide as three minutes are added on.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:48 , Arthur Ferridge89mins: Time running out for Palace to find a second here, and it looks as though they might have run out of energy too. Not Will Hughes, though. He’s still battling and wins a corner.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:46 , Arthur Ferridge88mins: Edouard’s shot looks promising, but it takes a deflection and goes out for a corner.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:44 , Arthur Ferridge86mins: Sarr plays a sweet ball in for Mateta, but he can’t get on the end of it. The Frenchman looks a tad leggy.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:42 , Arthur Ferridge84mins: Munoz catches an elbow in the nose and it looks to have drawn blood. free-kick to Fredrikstad for an unrelated incident at the corner of the Palace box.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:41 , Arthur Ferridge84mins: Owusu is replaced by Shein for the visitors.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:40 , Arthur Ferridge82mins: Not long to go now. This could still go either way, really.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
21:37 , Arthur FerridgeThe post denies Palace a precious second goal. One more tonight and Glasner can rest easy.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:36 , Arthur Ferridge78mins: Off the post again! Munoz ths time, heading at goal from inside the six-yard box. A lucky escape for Fredrikstad, who should be down two.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:32 , Arthur Ferridge74mins: Eid is booked as he takes a little too long to wind up his long throw.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
21:28 , Arthur FerridgeJustin Devenny hasn't shown a great deal tonight. An almost impossible task to replace Eberechi Eze, but he will be disappointed with his performance here.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:27 , Arthur Ferridge70mins: The way things are going, this tie will be very much in the balance come the second leg. Palace will have it all to do in Norway next week.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:26 , Arthur Ferridge69mins: Edouard replaces Devenny.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:26 , Arthur Ferridge68mins: Odsonne Edouard is being prepped to come on for Palace.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:25 , Arthur Ferridge67mins: Sosa is really keen for a debut goal. His latest effort fizzes barely wide of the top right corner.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
21:24 , Arthur FerridgeI said all it would take was one moment and there you have it. Palace are left thankful to Jefferson Lerma for a last-ditch interception inside the area.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:24 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: Palace’s defence has not often been called upon today, but they have done everything they have needed to. Lerma does wonderfully to track back and clear away a threaded through-ball, which would surely have led to a Fredrikstad shooting chance.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
21:21 , Arthur FerridgePalace will want to build on this lead. For so long as it remains 1-0 the tie hangs in the balance. Fredrikstad have not offered anything going forward, but all it takes is one moment.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:20 , Arthur Ferridge62mins: A cynical foul from Fredrikson ends Palace’s counter. He pulls Mateta down and is booked for his troubles.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:19 , Arthur Ferridge61mins: The visitors are preparing some substitutes.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:18 , Arthur Ferridge59mins: Lerma’s long throw is cleared off without issue. Palace have the momentum but are still taking a fairly agricultural approach to their attack.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
21:15 , Arthur FerridgeBOOM! Palace finally make the breakthrough. An instinctive header from Jean-Philippe Mateta gives the hosts the lead. Surely the floodgates will open now?
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad
21:13 , Arthur Ferridge54mins: Finally Crystal Palace have the breakthrough, and who else but JP Mateta? It is as scrappy a goal as you’ll ever see. Hughes’ volley is deflected back to his feet and he goes again. The second shot is off target, but Mateta is there to flick it in.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
21:10 , Arthur Ferridge52mins: Palace’s attacking creativity still has not progressed beyond speculative crosses and deep balls into the box. None has been put into the back of the net yet, but you would have to think one will succeed sooner or later.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
21:08 , Arthur FerridgeDevenny has to do better there, heading over from close range. Palace continue to knock on the door.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
21:08 , Arthur Ferridge50mins: Guehi puts a gorgeous ball in for Devenny, but he heads over. Huge chance goes begging.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
21:06 , Arthur Ferridge49mins: Hughes lets fly from the edge of the area but misses high - and only just. Glasner applauds his effort.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
21:05 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Sosa goes down in his own box to cut short a Fredrikstad attack.
2ND HALF: Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
21:02 , Arthur FerridgeBack underway!
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
20:54 , Arthur FerridgePalace found their shooting boots towards the end of the first-half, but they were no more accurate in their finishing. A frustrating half for the Eagles, who have an Eze-shaped hole in their attack.
HALF TIME: Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:48 , Arthur FerridgeThat does it for the first period. Palace have had a handful of chances, but their wait for a first Conference League goal goes on.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:47 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Just the one added minute.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:45 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: Glasner sits down on the bench, the picture of frustration.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
20:44 , Arthur FerridgePalace are still knocking on the door, Mateta's heavily deflected effort cracking the post before Fredrikstad goalkeeper Martin Borsheim makes a good save from Sarr. Feels like Palace will need a bit of luck to get a goal here.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:43 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: How is this still goalless!? Sarr’s header from inside the six-yard box is denied by an impressive reflex save from Borsheim, and the follow-up is also cleared off the line. Palace are beating on the door.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:43 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: Holten is set through on goal, but Lacroix catches him to make the tackle. He turned out to be offside, anyway.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:41 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: Mateta rattles the post! Devenny’s cross is cleared out to him at the edge of the box and he catches it sweetly. It takes a deflection on the way through and bounces away. So, so close to a breakthrough.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
20:39 , Arthur FerridgeThe glitz and glamour of European football under the lights at Selhurst Park isn't all it's cracked up to be. Palace are missing a spark. I think I know someone who could help...
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:39 , Arthur Ferridge38mins: Mateta gets free in the corner but can’t find Munoz with the cross. Keeper collects again.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:38 , Arthur Ferridge37mins: the ball falls to Wharton on the edge of the box but it gets away from him as he looks to shoot. He shanks his effort well wide.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:36 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: Hughes clears the corner out emphatically. Fredrikstadt come back through Sondre Sorlokk, whose cross is turned out for a goal-kick.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:34 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: Fredrikstad win a corner from a long throw-in, headed behind by Lacroix.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:33 , Arthur Ferridge31mins: Borsheim comes well off his line to claim a loose ball but is caught out as a centre-back clears the ball away himself. It finds Sosa, who looks to lob the keeper as he is outside of the area, but miss-hits his effort.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:31 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Lerma’s effort from range is into row z.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
20:27 , Arthur FerridgeA drinks break brings to an end a positive spell of pressure for Palace. It feels a case of when not if they make the breakthrough.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:27 , Arthur Ferridge26mins: Mateta does well to find Devenny on the wing with a cheeky flick, but his cross in for Sarr is a little too heavy-handed.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:25 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: Wharton is the latest to shoot from just outside the area, his effort is along the floor and right into the keeper’s hands. Palace are picking up the tempo now.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:24 , Arthur Ferridge23mins: Lerma fires on the volley from 25 yards, and it just barely misses wide of the post. Not sure the keeper had that one covered, were it on target.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:23 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: Palace are crying out for Eze’s creativity as they struggle to break down the Fredrikstad low block.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:22 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: Mateta attempts a snap shot from range and forces a save from Borsheim.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
20:19 , Arthur FerridgePalace have had nearly 80% possession, but just one shot so far. They are not used to dominating games in such a manner.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:18 , Arthur Ferridge17mins: Another long throw, this time from Sosa, has Fredrikstad panicking, but they manage to clear their lines.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:16 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: Fredrikstad come forward but the No9 is deemed to have handled the ball.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:15 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: Sarr is subject to some jeers from the Fredristad fans as he winds up for a long throw-in in front of the away end. Guehi heads it over the bar.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:13 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: No great threat is produced from the Fredrikstad corner.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:12 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Fredrikstad win a free kick about 40 yards from goal. They are known to be sharp from the set-piece, but this one comes to nought. They win a corner-kick through Munoz after the fact, though.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
20:12 , Arthur FerridgePalace have had all the ball so far, as expected. Glasner will want to make a fast start as he's only named three attackers on the bench. A sign of a difficult transfer window for the Eagles.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:11 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: Sosa and Devenny combine on the left flank and the latter puts a low cross back across the box, but it cannot find a striped shirt.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:10 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: The Fredrikstad fans are making their voices heard. They’ve come a long way to support their side here.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: Palace have had all of the possession in the opening exchanges, and seem to be funnelling it down the right flank with an eye to attacking through Munoz and Sarr.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:06 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: A towering Guehi header clears the Fredrikstad long-ball threat, but Mateta cannot control his clearance.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:04 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: Sarr finds some space in the middle of the park and looks to drive at goal, but is chopped down cynically.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Fredrikstad
20:03 , Arthur Ferridge1min: Immediately, Fredrikstad sit deep and compact. Will the Eagles be able to break them down without Eze’s creativity?
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
20:01 , Arthur FerridgeLoud cries defaming UEFA and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis can be heard from the Palace fans in light of the club's demotion to the Conference League.
KICK-OFF!
20:00 , Arthur FerridgeCrystal Palace’s Conference League campaign is underway! The hosts are in their traditional blue-and-red stripes, their guests in black and gold.
The players are out...
19:58 , Arthur Ferridge...and Selhurst Park is bouncing! Just a few moments to go until Crystal Palace’s European dream becomes reality.
Nearly time to go...
19:50 , Arthur FerridgeJust 10 minutes to kick-off!
A reminder of tonight's XIs
19:45 , Arthur FerridgeWith just 15 minutes to kick-off, here’s how tonight’s teams line up.
Crystal Palace starting XI: Henderson; Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa; Sarr, Devenny; Mateta
Fredrikstad XI: Borsheim, Woledzi, Fredriksen, S. Owusu; Molde, Sorlokk, L. Owusu, Metcalfe, Eid; Holten, Ohlenschlaeger
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
19:41 , Arthur FerridgeAtmosphere is building here on an historic night for Palace. Despite everything that’s happened this summer, they are playing European football for the first time in their history tonight, and that’s something to be celebrated.
Fredrikstad support having a pop
19:38 , Arthur FerridgeFredrikstad supporters outside Sehurst Park sing ‘Europa League, you’ll never sing that,’ in an obvious jab at Crystal Palace being relegated from UEFA’s second-tier competition to the third.
The Norwegians do not have much of a leg to stand on, though, having also been knocked out of the Europa League this season after losing to Midtjylland in qualifying.
Fredrikstad fans sing ‘Europa League, you’ll never sing that’ before their Conference League game against Crystal Palace pic.twitter.com/8tCM5mZ3LS
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 21, 2025
Glasner on Eze being let out tonight
19:34 , Arthur FerridgeOliver Glasner tells Channel 5 that Eberechi Eze asked not to play tonight.
“I expected that he would start this morning, but he called me this morning to say he doesn’t feel well to play. I have to accept it. If a player tells me he is not ready to play, then of course, I call the player who starts instead, Justin Devenny. You don’t like to change your starting eleven on matchday.”
The fans arrive in droves
19:28 , Arthur FerridgeAnd, it seems, in fancy dress. Got to make the most of the occasion, I suppose.
English clubs in the Conference League
19:18 , Arthur FerridgeCrystal Palace could stand to add their names to a growing list of Premier League clubs to have won the Conference League.
This is just the fifth season the Conference League will be contested, and two of the four existing champions are from London.
After Roma won the initial edition, West Ham were champions in 2022-23. Olympiacos came next, before Chelsea cruised to the title last season.
Will Palace be next?
What is on the line tonight?
19:08 , Arthur FerridgeThis is just the first match of a two-leg tie, so all is not lost if Palace fail to win.
They will visit Norway next week for the reverse fixture.
The winner of the tie will move on to the Conference League group phase.
Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park
18:58 , Arthur FerridgeNo fairytale farewell for Eberechi Eze as he edges closer to a move to Arsenal. Justin Devenny, Palace's hero from the penalty spot in the Community Shield, takes his place. A debut also for Borna Sosa at left wing-back. Glasner said he'd go strong, and he has been true to his word.
Fredrikstad XI
18:48 , Arthur FerridgeHere’s how the visitors shape up.
Fredrikstad XI: Borsheim, Woledzi, Fredriksen, S. Owusu; Molde, Sorlokk, L. Owusu, Metcalfe, Eid; Holten, Ohlenschlaeger
Subs: Ovretveit, Langbrataten, Okpaleke, Rafn, Hummelvoll-Nunez, Bjartalio, Kvile, Begby, Shein, Skogvold, Solberg, Granaas
Crystal Palace XI
18:46 , Arthur FerridgeOliver Glasner names his starting XI, and, as expected, Eberechi Eze is nowhere to be seen.
Crystal Palace starting XI: Henderson; Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa; Sarr, Devenny; Mateta
Subs: Matthews, Benitez, Mitchell, Clyne, Esse, Edouard, Richards, Rak-Sakyi, Cardines
Crystal Palace can seize unwanted opportunity in Conference League
18:40 , Arthur FerridgeSam Tabuteau previews tonight’s match...
European football arrives at Selhurst Park for the first time tonight when Crystal Palace host Fredrikstad in the first leg of their Conference League play-off.
After a long summer spent worrying about which competition Palace would be in this season, the focus now is on a long European run and dreams of another major trophy.
“I still think we, the club, the fans, the players, deserve to play in the Europa League because we are the FA Cup champions,” said Oliver Glasner on Wednesday.”
Who are Fredrikstad?
18:30 , Arthur FerridgeFredrikstad were founded in 1903, and their glory years seem a distant memory.
The club, based south of Oslo, are appearing in just their tenth European campaign, and their first since 2010.
They had been in the running to play in this year’s Europa League, but were beaten in qualifying by Midtjylland.
Now, they will bid to reach the main draw of a European competition for the first time since 1986.
What of Eberechi Eze?
18:20 , Arthur FerridgeEberechi Eze has been at the centre of a dramatic transfer saga over the past 24 hours.
He was set to join Tottenham, with talks in their late stages, before Arsenal swooped in to hijack the move.
He is now set to join the Gunners, and will not play tonight ahead of his medical.
Standard Sport prediction
18:10 , Arthur FerridgeThursday’s fixture marks Palace’s first venture into full European competition.
The team will be eager to impress their fans in their first home match of the season across all competitions.
Fredrikstad will likely adopt a defensive setup, but Palace’s potent front three should prove too much for the Norweigian side, with Glasner aiming to head into the second leg with a healthy advantage.
Crystal Palace to win, 2-0
Fredrikstad early team news
18:00 , Arthur FerridgeEmil Holten is the away side’s top scorer across all competitions this season with six goals. He will be hoping to start in south London after making a substitute appearance in the Europa League qualification loss to Midtjylland.
Crystal Palace early team news
17:50 , Arthur FerridgeOliver Glasner has confirmed that Eberechi Eze will NOT feature for Crystal Palace tonight as he closes in on a move to Arsenal. Marc Guehi, however, will play in spite of links to Liverpool.
Will Hughes is also expected to retain his place in the lineup, having stepped in for the injured Daichi Kamada against Chelsea.
Elsewhere, Caleb Kporha (back), Chadi Riad (knee), Cheick Doucoure (knee), Matheus Franca (muscular) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) remain sidelined with injuries.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad
17:40 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: This fixture will be broadcast on 5, which in the UK is free-to-air television. Coverage starts at 7.30pm BST ahead of the 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: Viewers can also watch the action live online via channel5.com.
Live blog: Follow the game LIVE right here with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park.
Good evening
17:29 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad in the Conference League play-offs!
It is the Eagles’ first-ever European fixture, but they will play it without their star player...
Follow along here for live updates from kick-off, which comes at 8pm!
