Crystal Palace tasted defeat for the first time since the end of October as they were beaten 2-1 by Strasbourg in the Europa Conference League on Thursday. The loss halts Palace’s five-match unbeaten run in the competition and complicates their hopes of reaching the top eight in the league phase.

Early Palace Dominance

The Premier League side took the lead in the 35th minute when defender Tyrick Mitchell slotted home a drilled finish after being set up by Jean-Philippe Mateta. Palace looked to double their advantage just before halftime, but Ismaila Sarr struck the post from 30 yards after the Strasbourg goalkeeper, Chelsea loanee Mike Penders, lost possession, missing an open-goal opportunity.

Strasbourg Fightback

Eight minutes into the second half, Strasbourg equalized through Emanuel Emegha, who will join Chelsea next summer, turning in a low cross from Diego Moreira. Despite further opportunities, including an effort from Adam Wharton that hit the crossbar, Palace could not convert their dominance into goals.

Penders redeemed himself with a diving save to deny Yeremy Pino from close range, but Palace were eventually punished in the 77th minute. Julio Enciso’s free-kick hit the crossbar, allowing Samir el Mourabet to tap in on the rebound, sealing the victory for Strasbourg.

Missed Opportunities and Impact

Palace dominated large portions of the match, registering 16 shots and 40 touches in the opposition box, but their inability to capitalize on key chances proved costly. The defeat mirrors their earlier Conference League loss to AEK Larnaca in October, where Palace also struggled to convert dominance into goals.

The result leaves Oliver Glasner’s squad with a record of two wins and two defeats from six games in the Conference League league phase. Palace currently sit 18th in the table, meaning they face a significant challenge if they want a top-eight finish and a direct route to the last 16. Teams outside the top 24 after six games are eliminated from the competition.

Midfielder Will Hughes was forced off in the first half after suffering a knee knock, adding to Palace’s injury concerns.

What’s Next for Crystal Palace and Strasbourg

• Crystal Palace: The Eagles return to Premier League action, hosting Manchester United on Sunday at 12:00 GMT. Their final two Conference League matches are away to Shelbourne (December 11) and a home tie against KPS Kuopio (December 18).
• Strasbourg: The French side host Brest in Ligue 1 on Sunday and travel to Aberdeen for their next European fixture on December 11.

Player Ratings

Some standout performers from the match include:

• B. Chilwell (Strasbourg) – 8.31, player of the match
• E. Emegha (Strasbourg) – 7.97
• V. Barco (Strasbourg) – 7.87
• J. Enciso (Crystal Palace) – 7.81
• S. Sarr (Crystal Palace) – 7.62

Other notable ratings included Mike Penders (7.03), Samir el Mourabet (7.20), and Ismaila Sarr (7.62).

Summary

While Palace dominated in possession and created numerous scoring opportunities, Strasbourg’s clinical finishing and Palace’s missed chances proved decisive. The Eagles now face an uphill battle to secure a top-eight finish in the Europa Conference League, while maintaining their Premier League form will remain a priority.