Leonard Owusu of Fredrikstad FK and Jefferson Lerma of Crystal PalaceGetty Images

Crystal Palace are in the Uefa Conference League after being demoted from Europa League

  • Crystal Palace reach a European group stage for the first time

  • They will find out their opponents during Friday's draw

  • Palace struggle in Norway but go through after 1-0 first-leg win

  • PLAYER RATINGS

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace booked their spot in the league phase of the Conference League despite an unconvincing showing in the second leg of their play-off tie against Fredrikstad.

Jean-Philippe Mateta's goal in the first leg at Selhurst Park proved the difference on aggregate as the English Premier League side struggled to make much of an impression in Norway.

He had the best chance in added time when he burst clear, but his shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of home keeper Martin Borsheim.

Just as they had done in the away tie, Fredrikstad defended well, but their attitude was markedly different this time, being much more positive and attempting to cause problems for the Palace defence.

But, luckily for Oliver Glasner's men and on the Austrian manager's 51st birthday, the home side's improved attacking efforts lacked any edge and rarely looked like threatening keeper Dean Henderson.

They did create a wonderful opportunity, but Stiane Molde was unable to turn into an near empty net after Henderson failed to catch a ball in the six-yard box.

Substitute Henrik Skogvold also fired wide in added time as Fredrikstad made a late push.

While it was another underwhelming performance, Glasner's side are now 13 games unbeaten in all competitions, equalling their club record as a top-flight side.

The success also earned Palace, who dropped down to the Conference League after their demotion from the Europa League for breaching multi-club ownership rules, a first appearance in the group stage of a European competition.

They will find out their opponents on Friday, following the Europa League draw which takes place at 12:00 BST.

Analysis: Eagles hold out in tricky test but lack attacking spark

Palace came into the return tie with an aggregate lead which was anything but comfortable following a tight 1-0 win at Selhurst Park last week.

They dominated possession in that game and spent the match camped in Fredrikstad's third as the Norwegians struggled to produce any build-up play, despite a spirited display.

At home, though, it was a somewhat different story as the Palace backline - including Marc Guehi despite continued transfer speculation - were put under pressure.

Emil Holten's physicality made the Fredrikstad forward a handful, while they managed to string together good attacking moves in the final third.

They also looked to trouble Palace through set-pieces, making the most of Daniel Eid's long throws, but the visitors had them covered.

And for all their increased positivity, Fredrikstad still lacked any real bite up top to test Henderson, allowing Palace to edge through courtesy of Mateta's first-leg winner.

Having also scored just once in their two Premier League games and lost Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, Glasner's side also showed a lack of potency up front.

Defender Chris Richards flicked a header wide and Mateta was denied just before the end after having an earlier header saved, but Palace lacked the fluidity to create more chances.

While Glasner has led his side to the league phase, this testing and hard-fought play-off will show how tough the competition could be for the Eagles and how more attacking options are needed in the squad.

What's next for these teams?

The draw for the next phase of the Conference League takes place on Friday, featuring the 24 winners of the play-off round ties and the 12 losers from the Europa League play-offs.

Crystal Palace's next fixture comes in the Premier League on Sunday, when they take on Aston Villa at 19:00 BST.

Player of the match

C. Richards
7.24
12 U. Fredriksen
5.00
19 R. Shein
4.88
16 D. Eid
4.86
17 S. Kvile
4.82
28 S. Owusu
4.81
6 L. Owusu
4.81
77 M. Børsheim
4.77
23 H. Skogvold
4.76
13 S. Sørløkk
4.71
22 M. Woledzi
4.67
10 J. Nuñez
4.65
4 S. Molde
4.62
20 O. Øhlenschlæger
4.62
14 J. Bjartalíð
4.59
11 P. Metcalfe
4.57
9 E. Holten
4.52
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