Crystal Palace Under-21s fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sporting Clube de Portugal B at Selhurst Park. Jemiah Umolu’s breakthrough goal was overcome by a brace from Flávio Gonçalves.
Marjoram and Raymond make first starts of the season
2: Cardoso hits the bar early on for Sporting
13: Umolu sees a shot saved
37: Devenny’s shot is over the bar after a great build up
HT: Palace 0-0 Sporting
52: Umolu puts Palace ahead, finishing a fine move
66: Marsh and Devenny come close to adding a second
74: Sporting level through Gonçalves
83: Gonçalves puts the visitors ahead
90+10: A late Palace push can't claw a goal back
FT: Palace 1-2 Sporting
After the international break saw eight young Eagles represent their countries, Palace were back in action as they welcomed Sporting Clube de Portugal to Selhurst Park.
Head coach Darren Powell made three changes to his side from the previous outing, with Finley Marjoram returning from a loan spell with AFC Croydon Athletic in place of Asher Agbinone. Jadan Raymond came in for his first start of the season in place of Hindolo Mustapha, while Rob Holding also came in for Luke Browne.
In front of the vocal Palace faithful at Selhurst, the Eagles almost got off to a false start. Sporting’s Nilton Cardoso had the first chance of the game just two minutes in and rattled the crossbar with a curling effort.
Palace’s best attempt of the half came about 10 minutes later, with Jemiah Umolu stinging the palms of Francisco Silva in the Sporting goal following a good run down the left from Jadan Raymond.
Chances were few and far between in the first-half, with neither side making a profound impact in the final third. Captain Justin Devenny fired an effort over the bar after a well-worked build up just before the break.
The second-half left a lot to be desired and got off to a much better start, with Palace taking the lead seven minutes in.
In a back-to-front move, Umolu netted the opener. A ball from the back was held up well by Umolu allowing for a quick one-two with Zach Marsh for him to be played in behind.
Umolu finished strongly on his left foot, holding off a challenge for his seventh of the season.
Marsh almost had one of his own just past the hour-mark, though neither he or Devenny could find a decisive strike to cap off a good move from a throw-in.
With 20 minutes remaining, Sporting brought on substitute Flávio Gonçalves and managed to turn the game on its head shortly afterwards. He struck a sensational effort, curling in an attempt from 20-yards out just minutes after coming on.
He managed to net a second just 10 minutes later, capitalising on an initial shot that deflected right into his path to finish from close range.
In the time that remained, Palace pushed for a late equaliser, but it wasn’t to be. The result now means Powell’s side are two points off top spot in Group D of the Premier League International Cup.
Palace: Moulden (GK), Marjoram (Browne, 81), Jemide, Holding, Grehan, Rodney (Austin, HT), Gibbard, Devenny, Umolu, Raymond (Mustapha, 61), Marsh (Derry, 88).
Sub not used: Izquierdo (GK).
Sporting: F. Silva (GK), P. Silva, Barroso, Brito, Cunha, Anjos, Abreu ((Justo, 61 (Cabrito, 84)), Couto, Marquês (Besugo, 61), Gomes (Gonçalves, 70), Cardoso (Infante, 84).
Subs not used: Clara (GK),, Mendes.