Crystal Palace Vs Fredrikstad
1:0
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored Crystal Palace's first European goal as they began their Conference League campaign with a 1-0 victory against Fredrikstad.
The French forward's effort epitomised a game which comprised equal parts dominance and frustration for Palace, with Mateta heading inside the far post after Will Hughes sent a deflected strike back into the box.
Palace were without Eberechi Eze, their FA Cup final match-winner, who is expected to join Arsenal in the coming days.
Their Norwegian opponents were determined but clearly second best, spending the game largely pinned into their defensive third as Palace looked to fashion opportunities.
Fredrikstad's deep line proved troublesome for Palace to break down and, for the most part, restricted the hosts to efforts from outside the box or attacks from wide areas.
Palace's chances were rarely clear-cut openings but they should have scored more, with a deflected effort from Mateta hitting the post in the first half and Daniel Munoz heading against the post in the second half.
There were occasional reminders of the opposition's threat when Fredrikstad tried to hit them on the break, showing more aggression late on, but Palace remained resolute.
Oliver Glasner's Premier League side therefore take a narrow advantage to Norway for the second leg next Thursday, when victory on aggregate would seal their place in the Conference League group stage
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