Football | How Palace made it to the FA Cup final
Let's have a look at how Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final.
There have been five games full of drama.
Author - Terry J
There has been London derbies and matches against lower league teams to contend with.
Third Round
Crystal Palace were drawn away to Stockport County. Oliver Glasner’s side were never seriously threatened by a potential upset, although County gave a respectable account of themselves.
A sublime early strike from Eberechi Eze proved the difference. It would not be the last time he made his mark on this season’s cup run.
Fourth Round
Next up was a potentially awkward trip to League Two side Doncaster Rovers.
Palace were solid at the back and took their chances when they came, with clinical finishes from Daniel Muñoz and Justin Devenny ensuring progress to the last 16.
Fifth Round
A South London derby followed, as Palace welcomed Millwall to Selhurst Park.
The game began under the glare of March sunshine, but the early stages were marred by a head injury to Jean-Philippe Mateta, following a dangerous challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, who was sent off.
The Eagles initially struggled to settle after the incident but eventually found their rhythm. Defender Japhet Tanganga inadvertently opened the scoring, heading Will Hughes’s cross beyond his own goalkeeper.
Muñoz added a second, before Wes Harding pulled one back for Millwall. Substitute Eddie Nketiah made sure of the result with a looping header to round off the win.
Quarter-final
Palace endured a difficult opening 20 minutes against Fulham, who looked the sharper of the two sides and pushed hard for the opener.
Once again, it was Eze who turned the tide. He cut in from the left and bent a low shot past Bernd Leno, in off the far post. Moments later, he delivered a precise cross for Ismaïla Sarr to nod in from close range.
READ MORE | Palace match reports from London Super News
Nketiah rounded off a commanding performance, racing on to Daichi Kamada’s pass and coolly slotting home to seal a 3–0 win. Wembley awaited.
Semi-final
Aston Villa had promised to be a difficult and nervy match. Palace had other ideas.
The opening stages were tense, but once the game settled, Palace asserted their dominance.
Eze once again broke the deadlock, lashing in a first-time strike after good work from Sarr. From there, the outcome rarely looked in doubt.
Even after Mateta saw a penalty saved in the second half, Palace remained in control, outplaying a Villa side who had reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
Sarr added a second just before the hour, driving forward and drilling a low finish beyond Emiliano Martínez. He struck again in stoppage time, racing clear of the Villa defence to wrap up victory and confirm Palace’s third FA Cup final appearance.
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