Report: Professional Palace see off Doncaster and progress in FA Cup

Summary

• 9: Turner has to make his first save of the evening to deny Bailey.
• 22: Palace dominant in possession but unable to create a clear-cut chance.
• 31 – GOAL: Muñoz taps home from close range after Mateta’s effort comes back off the post following a free-kick.
• 38: Sharp gets a volley away inside the box, but Turner makes a good save.
• 46: Palace unable to turn the ball home after another major scramble yards from the Doncaster goal.
• HT: Doncaster 0-0 Palace
• 46: Chilwell replaces Mitchell to make his Palace debut.
• 49: Devenny misses excellent chance to make it 2-0, only a few yards out from goal.
• 55 – GOAL: Devenny produces a wonderful finish to chip Sharman-Lowe and get Palace's second goalafter a brilliant pass from Hughes.
• 80: Turner gets down low to make a crucial stop to deny Bailey after Palace struggle to clear a corner.
• FT: Doncaster 0-2 Palace

Goals from Daniel Muñoz and Justin Devenny ensured the Eagles were able to progress relatively smoothly against the League Two side in a hard-fought cup tie. The result means Palace next Millwall in round five, back at Selhurst Park.

Oliver Glasner made three changes to his team, once again giving Matt Turner an opportunity in goal, while Ben Chilwell was on the bench for his first Palace matchday squad.

In truth, there was little in the way of clear-cut chances in the opening half-an-hour, before Palace won a free-kick not far from the Rovers penalty area in the 30th minute.

Daichi Kamada played a smart low ball into Jean-Philippe Mateta, rather than shooting. He swivelled in the box, shooting against the post.

But as the ball bobbled out, Muñoz reacted quickly, converting from only a few yards out to give the Eagles a crucial lead.

Kamada looked in the mood for more and, only a few minutes later, tested Doncaster goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe with a smart effort.

At the other end, Turner had to react quickly to keep out a Billy Sharp goal-bound effort, before Luke Molyneux went close to levelling the tie, firing a powerful shot just wide of the post.

Oliver Glasner introduced Ben Chilwell at the break for his Eagles debut, replacing Tyrick Mitchell.

Palace hit the ground running after the break with good chances for both Justin Devenny and Mateta; the former failed to convert from close range, while Mateta forced a good save from Sharman-Lowe.

But Doncaster were still in the tie, Bailey firing wide after turning smartly inside the Palace box to increase the noise from the home fans.

Devenny was to get a second chance 10 minutes after the break – and this time he wouldn’t miss.

The youngster produced a wonderfully composed finish to chip Sharman-Lowe, after Hughes’ fine pass had sent him clear of the Doncaster defence.

It was a fine reward for the Eagles fast start after the break, and reward for a player who has had to be patient in waiting for his return to starting line-up.

Jefferson Lerma and Romain Esse were then introduced for the final half-an-hour, with Turner required to make another alert save to keep out the lively Sharp.

Doncaster refused to let the game drift away, the lively Molyneux firing just over bar after cutting in from the right channel.

But they eventually ran out steam, Palace seeing out four minutes of injury time with ease, as Glasner gave Matheus França a return from the bench – his first competitive minutes for the club since 2nd March 2024.

The Eagles are next in action against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, 15 February.

Palace: Turner (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi, Muñoz (Kporha, 90), Hughes, Wharton (Lerma, 62), Devenny (Esse, 62), Mitchell (Chilwell, 45), Kamada (Franca, 90+2), Mateta.

Subs: Henderson (GK), Matthews (GK), Clyne

Doncaster: Sharman-Lowe, Maxwell, Sterry (Nixon, 80), Olowu,** Anderson, Bailey, Broadbent (Kelly, 70), Ennis (Senior, 46), Sharp (Ironside, 62), Molyneux, Street (Gibson, 45)

Subs: Crew, Gibson, Lawlor, Nixon, Sbarra, Senior, Westbrooke.

As it Happened