Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal as Crystal Palace edged out a narrow win over Fredrikstad in the first leg of their Conference League play-off. The Eagles struggled for attacking impetus on the night after Eberechi Eze was left out of the squad ahead of making a move to Arsenal.

THEY were demoted before they had kicked a ball and robbed of their star player on the morning of the match. Yet Crystal Palace’s maiden European adventure still began with a victory at a rocking,

Crystal Palace enter their Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Fredrikstad with the focus inevitably fixed on Eberechi Eze. The midfielder, whose flair has so often defined Palace’s attacking spark, is on the verge of a £67.5million move to Arsenal.

Conference League prediction, kick-off time, team news, TV, live stream, odds today - Crystal Palace are gearing up for an historic night at Selhurst Park

Glasner, speaking on Channel 5 ahead of the first leg at Selhurst Park, admitted that he expected Eberechi Eze to start for Palace against Fredrikstad. However, the manager revealed that Eze called him and told him he did not feel well enough to play in the match.

As Crystal Palace prepare for their Conference League play-off first leg against Fredrikstad on Thursday night, their captain Marc Guehi has been at the epicentre of intense transfer speculation. As per BBC Sport correspondent Sami Mokbel,