Crystal Palace claimed a comfortable 3-1 victory over Saudi second-tier side Al-Ula to claim a fifth-place finish at the Como Cup.
Justin Devenny, who was playing as an attacking midfielder, got the Eagles off to a flying start with a precise finish at the near post in the opening minute of the match.
“We do that in training all the time,” Devenny told Palace TV. “As soon as we win the ball back, we know we need to counter-attack quickly. We did it all throughout last season.
“I think it is a bit of a strength playing in different positions. I was here, there and everywhere at times last season, but I’m happy playing wherever I’m needed.”
Then 20-year-old Rio Cardines picked out Eddie Nketiah for a close-range finish to double Palace’s lead inside the opening 10 minutes.
Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem did manage to find the target for Al Ula in the 16th minute, but centre-back Jaydee Canvot poked home from a corner in the 57th minute to seal the win.
Chris Richards and Daichi Kamada were also handed their first pre-season minutes by new boss Pierre Sage, having returned from the World Cup.
“We played how we choose to play,” Sage said. “It is kind of a success, but now we have to do that for the whole game.
“For me, it is important to see my team taking chances.”
Next up for Crystal Palace is a behind closed doors friendly against Fulham on Friday, 7 August.
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