Crystal Palace progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a comfortable win over 10-man Millwall at Selhurst Park.
The turning point of the match came in the eighth minute when Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off after he came charging out of his goal and kicked Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in the head as attempted to clear the ball.
Play was initially allowed to carry on by referee Michael Oliver, but after he was sent to the pitch-side monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR), he showed the red card to Roberts.
Mateta received eight minutes of treatment before being taken off on a stretcher, with Palace chairman Steve Parish saying the challenge was the “most reckless he had ever seen”.
Premier League Palace made the most of their numerical advantage and took the lead in the 33rd minute when Japhet Tanganga headed a curling Will Hughes cross into his own net.
The Eagles doubled their lead when Daniel Munoz poked the ball into the net from close range when it fell into his path after bouncing off Tanganga.
Championship side Millwall looked to be out of the game but Wes Harding gave them a lifeline when he scored from inside the area just before the break.
Eddie Nketiah ensured the Eagles would be in the draw for the last eight when he headed in off the post in the 82nd minute.
Palace wait for Mateta update
This match was the 100th meeting between the two London rivals and the dramatic nature of the game lived up to the milestone.
Oliver Glasner had named a strong line-up for both of the previous rounds of the FA Cup, against Stockport County and Doncaster Rovers, and this match was no different.
He picked his first-choice front three but lost French striker Mateta after eight minutes after the awful tackle from Roberts, and the manager will be hoping the injury is not too serious.
Matt Turner kept his role as the cup goalkeeper whilst Ben Chilwell was handed his first start since joining from Chelsea on loan, and showed what he might be able to provide for the remainder of the season.
Eddie Nketiah came on for the injured Mateta and looked lively, and alongside his goal in the second half also had the ball in the net in the first half, but that strike was ruled out for handball.
It has been a frustrating time in south London for Nketiah since he arrived from Arsenal in August 2024, but he may now get a run of games to fill the void left by the talisman Mateta.
The second half of the game became a bit flat as the Eagles tried to see out the match, while Millwall tried to attack in patches despite being a player down.
The win continues Palace’s resurgence after their slow start to the season and they have now lost just twice in 13 matches in all competitions.
[BBC]