Back of the Nest

Palace are European champions! In the biggest game in the club's 120-year history, Oliver Glasner's side delivered a tactical masterclass at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig to lift the UEFA Conference League trophy. It was a night built on defensive grit, immense focus, and a single moment of clinical quality that will be talked about in South London for generations to come. Palace have not only secured their first-ever major silverware but have officially stamped their ticket to next season's Europa League.

What a historic night in Leipzig! Crystal Palace have won their first-ever European trophy, defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final.It was the ultimate fairytale ending for manager Oliver Glasner in his final match in charge of the club, capping off an incredible golden era that included an FA Cup win and a Community Shield over the last 12 months.

The Premier League season concluded at a sultry Selhurst Park with a narrow 2-1 defeat to the newly crowned champions. With the historic Conference League Final in Leipzig just days away, Oliver Glasner heavily rotated his squad, giving several fringe players and youth prospects a chance to test themselves against the best in the land. Despite falling two goals behind, a spirited late rally proved that the Eagles' competitive fire is fully intact ahead of their trip to Germany.

The Eagles were forced to settle for a point in West London as a resilient Brentford side twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw. On an afternoon where Palace initially looked sharp and dangerous, failure to kill the game off when they had the upper hand ultimately allowed the Bees to push back late. We're grading a performance that showed flashes of real quality, but was ultimately undone by a lack of ruthlessness and some tired legs in the closing stages

The Eagles were forced to settle for a point in West London as a resilient Brentford side twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw. On an afternoon where Palace initially looked sharp and dangerous, failure to kill the game off when they had the upper hand ultimately allowed the Bees to push back late. We're grading a performance that showed flashes of real quality, but was ultimately undone by a lack of ruthlessness and some tired legs in the closing stages

The "Etihad Gauntlet" proved too much for a rotated Palace side as Manchester City kept their title hopes alive with a clinical 3-0 victory. Despite a bright start that saw the Eagles nearly lead through Jean-Philippe Mateta, City's quality told with two quick-fire goals before the break. While the second half saw a spirited effort from the bench, the focus remains firmly on managing the squad's fitness for the historic date in Leipzig.

The "Etihad Gauntlet" proved too much for a rotated Palace side as Manchester City kept their title hopes alive with a clinical 3-0 victory. Despite a bright start that saw the Eagles nearly lead through Jean-Philippe Mateta, City's quality told with two quick-fire goals before the break. While the second half saw a spirited effort from the bench, the focus remains firmly on managing the squad's fitness for the historic date in Leipzig.

The Eagles head to the Etihad Stadium this Wednesday for a midweek clash that carries massive implications at both ends of the table. While Palace are still basking in the glow of reaching the Conference League Final, they face a Manchester City side that is practically perfect on home turf in May. With Pep Guardiola's men sitting just five points behind league leaders Arsenal with a game in hand, the stakes couldn't be higher for the hosts-while Palace look to play the role of ultimate spoilers.

The "European hangover" was palpable at Selhurst Park as a weary Palace side twice came from behind to rescue a point against Everton. Just days after securing their place in a historic European final, Oliver Glasner's men looked second-best for large periods, particularly struggling with set-pieces once again. We're grading the squad on their powers of recovery on a day where individual brilliance from the usual suspects saved them from a domestic slip-up.