MATCH SUMMARY
What happened
Crystal Palace secured a 3-1 victory over Al Ula in the Como Cup, producing an energetic attacking display at Giuseppe Sinigaglia. They took the lead with the first attack, as Justin Devenny made a well-timed run from an advanced position before finishing accurately at the near post.
Palace continued to find opportunities down Al Ula’s left side during the opening period. Rio Cardines supplied Matheus França for a chance that went wide, then found Eddie Nketiah in the area, with the forward converting from close range to double the advantage.
Al Ula reduced the deficit before the interval when Al Sulaiheem was allowed time on the edge of the box and curled beyond Walter Benítez. Palace remained on the front foot after the restart, however, and Jaydee Canvot restored the two-goal cushion by reacting quickest to a loose ball in the penalty area.
A series of second-half changes from both teams disrupted the flow late on, but Palace protected their advantage to complete the win and finish fifth in the tournament. They next face Fulham in a behind-closed-doors friendly on the following Friday.
KEY MOMENTS
The turning points
Palace made the ideal start when Devenny finished the opening attack after a move down the right. The early pressure continued, with Cardines creating openings for França and Nketiah before the latter added a second from close range.
Al Ula’s response came through Al Sulaiheem, who found room on the edge of the area and curled a shot past Benítez. Palace still led at half-time and continued to threaten after the break, including through a França free-kick and a further run from the Brazilian.
Canvot’s quick reaction to a loose ball in the box produced Palace’s third goal. Although the pace of the match dipped as substitutions accumulated, Al Ula did not find another way back into the contest.
TACTICAL RADAR
How the game was won
Palace’s most effective attacking route was through the right side, where their early movement repeatedly exposed space on Al Ula’s left. Devenny operated in an advanced role and made the run for the opener, while Cardines helped create chances for both França and Nketiah.
The team also maintained a high tempo after the first-half water break and continued to push forward after the interval. França’s set-piece threat and surging run provided further attacking moments, while the introduction of George King, David Ozoh and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi at half-time, followed by further changes, gave several players minutes.
The substitutions eventually affected the rhythm of the game, with fewer chances in the closing stages. Palace’s main defensive lapse came before half-time, when Al Sulaiheem received too much time outside the box to score.
STANDOUT PLAYERS
Who impressed
Eddie Nketiah was influential in the final third, scoring from close range and later forcing Abdulqadoos Atiyah into a save with a powerful effort. Justin Devenny also made a strong contribution by starting in an advanced role and opening the scoring with a composed near-post finish.
Rio Cardines was involved in the build-up to two important first-half chances, finding França before setting up Nketiah’s goal. Jaydee Canvot added the decisive third by reacting sharply inside the penalty area.
THE POSITIVES
What Palace did well
Palace began with purpose and turned their first attack into a goal. Their movement down the right created repeated problems early on, and the team continued to play at a high tempo after Al Ula pulled one back.
The response after conceding was also encouraging: Palace retained the lead, created further opportunities after half-time and eventually re-established a two-goal advantage through Canvot. The match also provided minutes for a number of players, including Ismaïla Sarr after his return from the World Cup.
RADAR CHECK
What needs improving
Palace will want to avoid allowing opponents the time Al Sulaiheem received before scoring from the edge of the box. They could also have made more of the opportunities created in the first half, with França off target and unable to make clean contact with a teasing Nketiah cross.
The late drop in rhythm, linked in the report to frequent changes by both teams, limited the number of chances in the closing stages. Palace will look to retain their attacking sharpness while maintaining greater continuity when managing a lead.
Crystal Palace
Al Ula