Crystal Palace booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a stunning victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, extending their winning streak to five matches in all competitions.
The home side dominated the opening stages, controlling possession and creating the better opportunities. Rodrigo Muniz came closest to scoring for Fulham, but despite their sustained pressure, they failed to break the deadlock. Palace, struggling to push forward, found themselves largely confined to their own half. However, against the run of play, Eberechi Eze put the visitors ahead in the 34th minute with a moment of brilliance. Cutting in from the left, the England international bent a precise shot around goalkeeper Bernd Leno, striking the far post before finding the net.
Eze continued to influence the game, playing a crucial role in Crystal Palace’s second goal. His well-delivered cross found Ismaila Sarr, who directed a header past Leno at the near post, doubling the visitors’ advantage. Fulham sought to respond, with Willian forcing Dean Henderson into an important save, but Marco Silva’s team struggled to find a way back.
Palace sealed the victory in emphatic fashion when Eddie Nketiah added a third goal, calmly slipping the ball between Leno’s legs. The emphatic win marks the club’s first FA Cup semi-final appearance since 2022 and adds to their growing momentum under manager Oliver Glasner.
The victory is another testament to the remarkable turnaround orchestrated by Glasner after the club’s difficult start to the season. It took the Eagles nine league games to secure their first win, but since then, they have surged up the table and progressed deep into domestic competitions. Having already reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, Palace are now within touching distance of FA Cup glory.
Discipline and structure in Glasner’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation played a key role in withstanding Fulham’s early onslaught. With just two defeats in their last 15 matches, Palace are peaking at the right moment. The club has entered early contract discussions with Glasner, recognizing his impact, and securing his future will be a priority heading into the summer. As interest in some of their key players is expected to rise, keeping their manager could be just as crucial as retaining talent on the pitch.
