MATCH SUMMARY
What happened
Crystal Palace opened their pre-season programme with a 5-1 victory over Swindon Town at the Academy, giving Pierre Sage a positive beginning to his time in charge. Eddie Nketiah scored twice before half-time, while Matheus França completed the scoring with a second-half hat-trick.
Palace made an aggressive start, with Nketiah’s pressure producing the opening goal and Romain Esse helping create further danger. Nketiah then doubled the advantage by meeting Esse’s low delivery, but Swindon reduced the deficit before the interval after Palace conceded a penalty and later allowed Holman to cut inside and score.
Both teams changed their line-ups for the second half, with Cheick Doucouré returning to action after missing last season. França restored Palace’s two-goal cushion, converted a penalty after Joél Drakes-Thomas was brought down, and later completed his treble following another high-pressing moment involving Doucouré.
Óscar Mingueza made his first appearance for Palace from the right wing-back position, while the Eagles also wore their new 2026/27 home kit for the first time. Their next pre-season fixture is away to Bromley on 25 July.
KEY MOMENTS
The turning points
Nketiah’s early pressure forced a loose defensive clearance to rebound into the Swindon goal, giving Palace the lead and setting the tone for an energetic opening.
The striker added another when he slid onto Esse’s low ball across the face of goal. Swindon were offered a route back when David Ozoh conceded a penalty, but Walter Benítez saved Aaron Drinan’s attempt. Palace could not preserve their advantage, however, as Holman’s finish off the inside of the post made it 2-1.
França’s calm finish over Conor Ripley 11 minutes into the second half re-established Palace’s two-goal lead. He then scored from the spot after Drakes-Thomas was fouled, before completing his hat-trick with a composed finish after Doucouré’s pressure helped win the ball high up the pitch.
TACTICAL RADAR
How the game was won
Palace’s first-half approach was built around pressing Swindon quickly, with Nketiah’s opener coming directly from pressure on a defensive clearance. Esse’s running also helped the hosts win a dangerous free-kick and create the situation for Nketiah’s second goal.
The game also exposed a defensive risk: Palace overplayed at the back before Ozoh’s foul gave Swindon a penalty, and the visitors later found a goal when Holman moved inside from the flank. Swindon threatened again from a set-piece before the interval.
After the wholesale changes at half-time, Palace controlled the contest more effectively and added three goals. The final strike again illustrated the value of pressure higher up the pitch, with Doucouré’s press preceding França’s solo finish. The available report does not provide enough detail to assess the wider shape or build-up patterns beyond those specific moments.
STANDOUT PLAYERS
Who impressed
Matheus França was the clearest second-half standout, scoring three times after coming into the match at the interval. His finishes included a composed dink, a confidently taken penalty and a controlled solo effort.
Eddie Nketiah made a decisive contribution in the opening period with two goals, both linked to his movement and pressure around the Swindon penalty area. Walter Benítez also had an important moment, saving Drinan’s penalty when Swindon had a chance to equalise.
Romain Esse contributed an energetic attacking display in the first half, winning a dangerous free-kick and supplying the low ball from which Nketiah scored his second. Doucouré’s return was marked by the high press that helped create França’s third goal.
THE POSITIVES
What Palace did well
Palace began with intensity and were rewarded for pressing Swindon’s defence. Nketiah’s two goals gave them an early platform, while França’s finishing turned the match into a convincing victory after the interval.
The response after Swindon’s goal was another positive. Palace did not allow the setback to derail them, restoring their two-goal advantage early in the second half and then adding twice more. Benítez’s penalty save was also significant in preventing the visitors from drawing level.
RADAR CHECK
What needs improving
Palace need to be more secure when playing out from the back. The reported overplaying that led to Ozoh’s penalty-area foul gave Swindon a clear opportunity, and the visitors then scored before half-time.
The Eagles also allowed Swindon to build momentum late in the opening period, including a headed chance that went just wide from a dangerous free-kick. Managing those defensive moments and set-piece situations more cleanly will be an area to refine before the next friendly.
Crystal Palace
Swindon Town