Roy Hodgson would’ve been relatively pleased with Crystal Palace’s players as they opened their pre-season game schedule with a 2-2 draw against Danish side FC Helsingor.
Thursday saw the players take to the pitch in a meaningful manner following all the hard work out at the training camp but our hosts did take a fifth-minute lead through Brazilian Douglas. Alexander Sorloth and Mamadou Sakho gave us the advantage in the tie but a late James Tomkins own goal (83rd minute) saw us share the spoils.
The game achieved its aim though, it’s about fitness and Hodgson got game minutes into 21 of the 26 travelling group with Nya Kirby the only player to get the full 90 minutes.
Vicente Guaita got his non-competitive debut, and there were starts for Kirby and Jaroslaw Jach. Jason Puncheon also made his return following the knee injury he sustained on New Year’s Eve.
Palace:
Guaita (Speroni 45), Wan-Bissaka (Van Aanholt 58), Kelly (Tomkins 58), Jach (Sakho 58), Souare (Ward 58), Kirby, Puncheon (McArthur 58), Riedewald (Townsend 58), Schlupp (Lokilo 45), Kaikai (Zaha 58), Sorloth (Benteke 58).
Unused subs:
Goals – Sorloth (20), Sakho (61).
Yellows – McArthur.
The attendance of this evening's match against @fchelsingor was 1,518.
Thank you all for your support! ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/jE5t0YgwfX
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 12, 2018