Eberechi Eze played a pivotal role in Crystal Palace’s impressive 3-0 triumph over Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, scoring a goal and providing an assist within a remarkable four-minute span during the first half.
Having netted his inaugural goal for England against Latvia just days prior, Eze opened the account with a sensational strike from outside the penalty area.
He then turned provider, setting up Ismaila Sarr for a swift second goal that further empowered Palace, with Eddie Nketiah later adding more flair to the result as a second-half substitute.
After a challenging start to the season, Palace has emerged as one of England’s standout teams, with Oliver Glasner’s side rising to 12th place in the Premier League in recent months.
The Eagles have celebrated victories in their last six away matches, including a 2-0 success at Craven Cottage last month, fuelling their aspiration to secure their first FA Cup title.
Crystal Palace welcomed back French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, marking his return after requiring 25 stitches to treat an ear injury sustained during their fifth-round victory over Millwall four weeks earlier.
Yet it was Eze who truly stole the spotlight for the Eagles, delivering two critical contributions in the blink of an eye.
The 26-year-old expertly cut inside onto his preferred right foot, curling a shot in off the far post to break the deadlock on 34 minutes.
Following that, Eze deftly weaved past Sander Berge, demonstrating his versatility with a precise left-footed cross that allowed Sarr to head in at the near post.
“It’s incredible – the individual brilliance,” Glasner remarked on Eze’s impact.
“The first goal was vital because it restored our confidence; we were really struggling at the start. You need moments like that to lift the spirits when you’re finding it tough.”
In his post-match interview, Eze expressed firm belief that the south London club can secure their first-ever FA Cup victory this season.
He shared with ITV: “We’re confident in our abilities and aware of what we can achieve.
“It’s matches like today that reveal the mentality essential for advancing in the tournament.”
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi praised his team’s tenacity, emphasising the need for humility as they look towards their upcoming Wembley fixture.
In discussions with ITV, he stated: “We really dug deep and were rewarded for our efforts. Much credit goes to the manager and the staff; we ensure we are well-prepared with true leaders on the pitch. There is resilience within the team, and that’s vital for us.
“We’ll take each game as it comes. We did what was needed today, and now we focus on the league before looking ahead to the next round. One game at a time. We’re grateful for this opportunity, and we will strive to make the most of it.”
Fulham finds themselves four places and six points ahead of Palace in the Premier League but must now shift their focus to securing a top-five finish to achieve Champions League qualification for the first time.
However, their aspirations of reaching Wembley were dashed 15 minutes from the final whistle.
Having just come on as a substitute for Mateta, Eddie Nketiah displayed his composure with an excellent finish past his former Arsenal teammate Bernd Leno, scoring his third goal in four matches.
Brighton is set to face Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s other quarter-final clash.
Forest had previously overwhelmed the Seagulls 7-0 last month, yet Brighton has since bounced back with six wins and one draw, including a 2-2 result away to Manchester City, over their last seven outings.
Manchester City are regarded as the competition favourites but face a challenging trip to Bournemouth on Sunday.
As they endure a disappointing season that has not met their usual expectations, the FA Cup represents City’s last chance to secure silverware.
Aston Villa will visit second-tier Preston in hopes of staying on track for their first trophy since 1996 during Sunday’s early kick-off.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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