Report & Highlights: Palace blast past Millwall to reach FA Cup quarter-finals

Summary:

• Three changes for Palace as Ben Chilwell makes first start for the club.
• 6 – RED CARD: Millwall ‘keeper Roberts sees red for serious foul play on Mateta.
• 15: Nketiah replaces Mateta after a lengthy stoppage in play.
• 17: Nketiah appears to give Palace the lead, but effort disallowed after VAR review.
• 24: The forward then tests Jensen’s handling with a sharp turn and strike.
• 25: Eze’s effort bobbles up and is saved by Jensen; Muñoz’ follow-up is blocked.
• 31: Chilwell is played through by Hughes, but his effort is saved by Jensen.
• 33 – GOAL: Palace take the lead as Tanganga heads into his own net.
• 42 – GOAL: Pinball in the Millwall area sees Muñoz stab home from close range.
• 45+13 – GOAL: Millwall pull one back as Harding slams through a crowd of bodies.
• HT: Palace 2-1 Millwall
• 50: Millwall make a bright start to the second-half but Palace hold firm.
• 56: Muñoz and Richards go close as the Eagles seek a third goal.
• 69: A bright spell for Millwall; Turner keeps out Ivanovic’s header.
• 82 – GOAL: Nketiah puts Palace’s progression beyond doubt with a wonderful header.
• 84: Lerma’s wonderful effort whistles over.
• 90: França’s volleyed strike goes wide as the game ticks into stoppage time.
• FT: Palace 3-1 Millwall
• The Eagles reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for third time in last seven seasons.

Since Palace ascended above Millwall to become a Premier League staple, fixtures between the South London rivals have been few and far between – so in the 100th competitive meeting between the two teams, an eventful affair was always in order at Selhurst Park when a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals was on the line.

Oliver Glasner made three changes to the side which produced a clinical display to see off Aston Villa 4-1 at Selhurst Park on Tuesday evening, with goalkeeper Matt Turner handed his fourth start in cup competitions this season; Ben Chilwell given a first start in Palace colours; and Jefferson Lerma returning to the starting XI.

A raucous Selhurst support welcomed the two teams to the pitch ahead of kick-off – and it did not take long for the tone to be set for a fierce, often bruising, encounter.

Just six minutes into the match, a long pass forwards saw Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta challenge for the bouncing ball bravely with his header – and Millwall ‘keeper Liam Roberts, charging from his line, connect with the striker, at pace, with a high boot.

A VAR review for serious foul play confirmed the severity of the challenge, and referee Michael Oliver showed the goalkeeper a straight red card. Following a lengthy stoppage, Mateta was replaced by Eddie Nketiah.

Making full use of their numerical advantage, Glasner’s side peppered the Millwall goal for much of the remainder of the half.

Nketiah appeared to have scored his second goal in the space of five days with an instinctive finish within minutes of arriving, but VAR confirmed the ball had hit the striker’s hand in the build-up.

The No. 9 was moments later sharp to Daniel Muñoz’s fizzed cross, producing an inspired touch to swivel and shoot from a difficult position – but Millwall substitute ‘keeper Lukas Jensen got down well to catch the powerful shot.

Fellow South London product Ebere Eze was next to go close with a bobbling effort which Jensen kept out at full-stretch, with Muñoz’s first-time follow-up blocked on the way to goal by Millwall captain Jake Cooper.

Moments later, Will Hughes’ first-time pass found Chilwell racing through – but Jensen spread himself well to deny the No. 25.

Finally, on 33 minutes, Palace’s fully deserved breakthrough, the Eagles earning their touch of fortune when Japhet Tanganga headed Hughes’ cross-goal effort beyond his own goalkeeper from close range.

Pinball within Millwall’s penalty area became a common sight as the half wore on, and Palace benefitted again when a Millwall clearance hit the visitors’ own player and landed kindly for Muñoz to stab home the Eagles’ second of the match.

It appeared that the Eagles, with a two-goal and one-man advantage, would be cruising into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2021/22. But goals change the complexion of games, and the next admittedly had an effect.

In the final seconds of 13 minutes of additional time, Millwall got one back when Wes Harding slammed a powerful finish through a crowd of bodies and beyond Turner – and the confidence the goal provided the visitors permeated into the second-half.

Palace saw plenty of possession with their one-man advantage but the moments of danger, early in the second-half, were largely Millwall’s, with Turner making some important claims and the Eagles back-line some strong defensive headers.

Chances were few and far between although more panic in the Millwall box did almost provide Muñoz the chance to sweep home his second; seconds later, a long throw came in from Jefferson Lerma, and Chris Richards flicked over his header at the near post.

Glasner made changes from the bench to energise his side, with Romain Esse on to face his former club after 65 minutes and Adam Wharton also introduced, but it was going to need a third goal for Palace to well and truly put the tie to bed.

It arrived on 82 minutes from Nketiah, who deserved the goal for his efforts throughout the match.

A lofted Eze free-kick was flicked across goal by Richards, and Nketiah – back-pedalling to meet it – directed a super looping header in off the far post for his second Palace goal of the week.

That killed the contest off once and for all. Jefferson Lerma saw one fierce strike from distance go over.

Matheus França came off the bench for Palace to make his first Selhurst appearance since February of last year; the Brazilian, in the closing stages, narrowly fired wide.

The game was won, however, and Palace were able to celebrate reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals for the third time in seven seasons with a sweet victory over their local rivals.

Palace: Turner (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi, Muñoz (Clyne, 89), Hughes (Wharton, 65), Lerma (Devenny, 89), Chilwell, Eze (França, 85), Sarr (Esse, 65), Mateta (Nketiah, 15).

Subs: Henderson (GK), Mitchell, Kamada.

Millwall: Roberts (GK), Cooper, Tanganga, Mitchell (Honeyman, 66), Azeez, Bryan, Coburn (Ivanovic, 66), (De Norre Saville, 66), Cundle (Jensen, 12), Harding (Emakhu, 85) Neghli (Bangura-Williams, 32).

Subs: Wallace, Wintle, Sturge.

As It Happened