Crystal Palace produced a stunning display to defeat Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage and book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals. Eberechi Eze was the star of the show, scoring a brilliant goal and providing a crucial assist, as Oliver Glasner’s men put in a dominant performance away from home.
This result means that Palace have secured their first FA Cup semi-final appearance since 2016, with Wembley now beckoning for the South London club.
Match Summary: A Tactical Masterclass from Palace
The game started with Fulham controlling possession, trying to dictate play with their crisp passing and fluid movement. Marco Silva’s men showed intent early on, with Rodrigo Muniz forcing a fine save from Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson inside the opening ten minutes.
However, despite their early promise, Fulham struggled to break down a well-organized Palace defense, marshaled expertly by Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen. As the first half wore on, Palace grew into the game, with Eze and Michael Olise beginning to cause problems for the Fulham backline.
The breakthrough finally came in the 34th minute when Eze produced a moment of brilliance to put Palace ahead. The midfielder picked up the ball just outside the box, cut inside onto his right foot, and unleashed a curling shot that struck the post before nestling into the net. Craven Cottage was stunned as Palace celebrated a deserved lead.
Just four minutes later, Palace doubled their advantage. Eze was at the heart of the move again, whipping in a pinpoint cross that found the head of Ismaïla Sarr, who guided the ball past Bernd Leno to make it 2-0.
From that point on, Palace controlled the game, frustrating Fulham and limiting their attacking opportunities. Fulham’s frustrations grew in the second half as they failed to mount a serious comeback, and their misery was compounded in the 75th minute when Palace struck again.
Substitute Eddie Nketiah, who came on for Jean-Philippe Mateta, finished off a well-worked counterattack, slotting the ball through Leno’s legs to seal a 3-0 victory.
Eberechi Eze’s Brilliance: The Difference Maker
This game belonged to Eberechi Eze. The attacking midfielder dominated proceedings, showing his technical ability, vision, and composure in key moments.
- His 34th-minute goal was a perfect example of his ability to create something out of nothing.
- His 38th-minute assist for Sarr showcased his intelligence and ability to deliver in the final third.
- Throughout the game, he dictated Palace’s attacks, linking up well with Olise and Mateta.
Manager Oliver Glasner heaped praise on Eze after the match, stating:
“He is a special player, and when he plays like this, he makes the difference. His ability to control the game and produce moments of quality was key for us today.”
His performance drew comparisons to some of the Premier League’s best playmakers, and if he maintains this form, he could play a crucial role in Palace’s FA Cup journey.
Defensive Resilience: A Key Factor in Palace’s Success
While Eze and the attack earned the headlines, Palace’s defensive solidity was equally impressive. Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen were rock-solid at the back, dealing with everything Fulham threw at them.
- Dean Henderson made a couple of key saves early in the game, keeping Fulham at bay.
- Tyrick Mitchell and Nathaniel Clyne were disciplined at full-back, preventing Fulham from creating clear-cut chances from the wings.
- Cheick Doucouré and Jefferson Lerma controlled the midfield, disrupting Fulham’s rhythm and preventing Andreas Pereira and João Palhinha from influencing the game.
This was Palace’s sixth consecutive away win without conceding a goal, an impressive feat that highlights their improvement under Glasner.
Fulham’s Struggles: Another FA Cup Quarter-Final Exit
For Fulham, this result marks another disappointing exit from the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage. Despite a strong start, they failed to break down Palace’s disciplined defense and ultimately paid the price for defensive lapses.
Manager Marco Silva admitted his team lacked cutting edge, saying:
“We started well, but we couldn’t make the most of our chances. In these games, if you don’t take your chances, you get punished.”
Rodrigo Muniz, Willian, and Andreas Pereira all had moments of promise, but none could provide the quality needed to turn the game around.
Palace’s Road to Wembley: Can They Go All the Way?
With this emphatic victory, Crystal Palace have booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals, and fans are starting to dream of lifting their first major trophy.
The FA Cup semi-final draw will determine Palace’s next opponent, but with several big teams already eliminated, there is a growing belief that this could be their year.
Eze remained optimistic about their chances, stating:
“We’ve got momentum, and we believe in ourselves. We’ll take whoever comes next, and we’ll be ready.”
With their defensive resilience, attacking flair, and a manager who has instilled a winning mentality, Palace could be serious contenders in this year’s competition.
Final Thoughts: A Statement Performance from Palace
This 3-0 win was not just a victory; it was a statement performance from Crystal Palace. They showed defensive discipline, attacking quality, and a clinical edge—all attributes needed to go deep in the FA Cup.
With Eberechi Eze in sublime form, a solid backline, and momentum on their side, Palace now turn their attention to the semi-finals at Wembley.
Could this be the year that Crystal Palace finally win the FA Cup? If they continue playing like this, it might just happen.
Match Statistics
📊 Possession: Fulham 57% – 43% Crystal Palace
🎯 Shots on Target: Fulham 2 – 6 Crystal Palace
🔑 Key Passes: Eze (3), Olise (2), Pereira (2)
🚀 Goals: Eze (34’), Sarr (38’), Nketiah (75’)
🛑 Clean Sheet: Dean Henderson
What’s Next?
🔜 Crystal Palace’s FA Cup semi-final opponent will be determined in the draw.
🔜 Fulham return to Premier League action as they seek to recover from this defeat.
