Crystal Palace finish fifth at Como Cup with Al-Ula win

[Getty Images] 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.