Fulham v Crystal Palace LIVE: Result and reaction as Eagles soar into FA Cup semi-finals
Fulham 0-3 Crystal Palace: Oliver Glasner’s side near-faultless as they breeze into FA Cup semi-finals
Ebereche Eze was at the heart of a Crystal Palace clinic as the Eagles soared past Fulham to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
After holding off a bright Cottagers start, Palace began to threaten and after Jefferson Lerma was denied an awe-inspiring volley by the crossbar, the visitors took the lead through a delightful curled effort from Eze.
Eze then turned provider four minutes later to set up Ismaila Sarr, who headed in from close range to give Palace breathing space before the break.
Palace looked comfortable in the second half and kept Fulham from ever really threatening before Eddie Nketiah sealed Palace's trip to Wembley with 15 minutes to go, topping off a perfect afternoon for Oliver Glasner's side.
Follow all the reaction from Craven Cottage with our live blog below:
NEXT UP: Brighton vs Nottingham Forest LIVE
If you thought that was it for today’s FA Cup action, think again.
We’ve got another massive FA Cup quarter-final in store as Nottingham Forest pay a visit to Brighton, hoping for anything that even resembles a repeat of their 7-0 thrashing of the Seagulls earlier this term.
Follow The Independent’s live coverage of the clash below:
Brighton v Nottingham Forest LIVE: Team news and FA Cup updates
Glasner hails Eze's 'unbelievable individual quality'
“Eberechi's goal, it's unbelievable - the individual quality,” Oliver Glasner told ITV. “Then we have the confidence and in our structure waiting for the right moments."
"What I told him, it was so important the first goal because we got the belief back, we were really struggling in the beginning. You need something when you're struggling in the game, some positive actions to get the belief back.
“It's not fair to only talk about one player because it was such a great team effort. In the second half there was a lot of pressure because if they (Fulham) score one goal it would be a tight game again. It's a great group and everyone is here to help the team."
Fulham deserved more, says Willian
"We are sad because I think we deserve more,” said Willian, offering his post-match thoughts.
“The first 25 minutes we controlled the game very well, we create chances to score the goal but in two counter attacks we concede two goals and it becomes more difficult to keep going.
“We try after that in the second half to score the goal to push but unfortunately today we did not do what we wanted because the plan was clear to go to the next stage but unfortunately not today."
Palace's sharpshooter steps up again
Four of Eberechi Eze’s six goals for Crystal Palace this season have come from outside the penalty area.
Only Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes (both 6) have more among Premier League players in 2024/25.
He’s also registered 10 assist this term in all competitions, as many as he managed in his two previous seasons combined.
A real gem.
Eze does 'what he's here' to do
"It was an important goal,” Ebereche Eze told ITV post-match. “I'm happy to help the team and that's what I'm here for.
“We didn't start the best, it was difficult and there was a lot of defending but eventually we broke them down.
“I want to get the ball in the pockets and cutting inside, thank God it went in today. We took our chances when we got them and we put in a good performance.
"We're confident in ourselves and we know what we can do, we know what we are capable of. It's games like today where you show the mentality which will get you further in the tournament."
Who else can join Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals?
Crystal Palace have done what they needed to do - now we wait to see who will join them at Wembley.
The second of the quarter-finals kicks off later this afternoon as Brighton host Nottingham Forest, looking to avenge the 7-0 thumping they received earlier in the campaign. That kicks off at 5:15pm.
Then tomorrow, Preston host Aston Villa at 1:30pm before tournament favourites Manchester City go to Bournemouth in an all-Premier League tie at 4:30pm.
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Marc Guehi gives post-match thoughts
"We dug deep and got our rewards,” the Palace captain told ITV.
“Big credit to the manager and the staff, we make sure we are set up in the right way with real leaders on the pitch. There is resilience in the team and that's what we need.
"We'll take it one game at a time. We did what we had to do today, we focus on the league and then focus on who we get in the next round.
“One game at a time. We thank God for this opportunity so we will do our best to take it."
Report: Eberechi Eze inspires Crystal Palace to stunning win at Fulham in wide-open FA Cup
Eberechi Eze was the difference maker as Crystal Palace booked their trip to Wembley with a 3-0 win over Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Palace's number 10, who was among those in England manager Thomas Tuchel's first squad selection earlier this month, opened the scoring with a brilliant effort before he assisted Ismaila Sarr for his side's second at Craven Cottage.
Eddie Nketiah came off the bench to add a third as Palace claimed a fifth successive win in all competitions and will now eagerly await a semi-final in a competition that has become wide open thanks to the early exits of most of the traditional ‘big six’.
Read the full report from Craven Cottage below:
Eberechi Eze inspires Crystal Palace to stunning win at Fulham in wide-open FA Cup
Crystal Palace breeze past Fulham into FA Cup last four
FULL-TIME! Fulham 0-3 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace put on a clinic at the Cottage to seal their place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
First-half goals from Ebereche Eze and Ismaila Sarr were added to by Eddie Nketiah after the restart, topping off an afternoon that saw Palace prevent Fulham from ever really threatening.
A perfect performance, and the Eagles are flying to Wembley.
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