Crystal Palace opened their pre‑season campaign with a convincing 5-1 win over Swindon Town, a match that underlined the gulf in levels but also offered useful minutes for squad members on both sides.
França leads the way as Palace dominate
Brazilian forward Matheus França was the outstanding performer, netting a hat‑trick inside the first 45 minutes. Eddie Nketiah also found the net for Palace. The game saw the return to action of Cheick Doucouré, which will be welcomed by Palace supporters monitoring their midfield options for the season ahead.
Although the fixture was a pre‑season friendly and the opposition were a League Two side, the scoreline and individual displays provide early indications for both coaching staffs. For Palace it was an opportunity to sharpen attacking combinations and to hand minutes to players building fitness. For Swindon the match represented a test against higher‑level opposition as they continue preparations under Ian Holloway.
Performances and concerns
Match reports highlighted a number of promising displays for Palace, but also identified players who must improve if they are to feature regularly under new manager Pierre Sage. In particular, Brennan Johnson was singled out as a player whose form will need to pick up.
Selected player ratings published after the match for Palace included:
- Walter Benítez – 7/10
- Tyrick Mitchell – 5/10
- Tayo Adaramola – 4/10
- Charlie Walker‑Smith – 6/10
- George King – 6/10
- Óscar Mingueza – 7/10
- Will Hughes – 6/10
- David Ozoh – 4/10
| Team | Score | Notable scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Palace | 5 | Matheus França (3), Eddie Nketiah |
| Swindon Town | 1 | Fletcher Holman |
What this means for Swindon
For Swindon Town, fixtures of this nature are valuable for testing systems and personnel under match conditions, even when the opposition is several tiers above. Ian Holloway's squad will take lessons from the game as they ready themselves for the League Two campaign; individual performances such as Fletcher Holman’s goal will be encouraging, while defensive work will attract scrutiny following a heavy defeat.
Both clubs will treat the result in context: pre‑season is primarily about fitness, experimentation and conditioning rather than final outcomes. Nonetheless, supporters will note the finishing quality Palace displayed and the areas Swindon need to tighten up before competitive fixtures begin.
Coverage of pre‑season matches often shapes early expectations. For local followers of Swindon Town, this outing provides a benchmark against higher opposition and a timely reminder of the work remaining before the season proper.
