Crystal Palace suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bristol City in a mid-season friendly at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors made the quicker start and took the lead inside the opening six minutes when Luke McNally headed home from Brian De Keersmaecker’s free-kick. Palace controlled much of the possession thereafter, recording 57 per cent during the first half, but could not turn their pressure into a goal.
Eddie Nketiah went close twice before half-time, while Tyrick Mitchell also missed the target with a half-volley. Walter BenÃtez was required to make an important save at the other end, keeping out an effort from Yu Hirakawa after a scramble in the Palace area.
Bristol City doubled their advantage shortly after the restart. Scott Twine won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area before curling the set piece into the far top corner. Palace continued to push for a response, with Jefferson Lerma seeing a header tipped over by substitute goalkeeper Bradley Collins.
The Eagles created further openings later in the contest, including when Collins prevented Ben Chilwell from converting Dwight McNeil’s pass. BenÃtez also made another save to deny Dom Ballard on the break.
The fixture provided senior minutes for members of Palace’s wider squad during the three-week international break. Academy players Chuks Okoli, Adler Nascimento and 18-year-old Amaari Sealey all featured, with Okoli making his non-competitive senior debut alongside Sealey.
