Crystal Palace Secures FA Cup Semifinal Spot with Convincing Win Over Fulham

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Eberechi Eze delivered a standout performance, scoring a goal and providing an assist, as Crystal Palace secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday, booking their place in the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley.

Fresh off scoring his first goal for England earlier in the week, Eze stunned the home crowd in the 34th minute with a spectacular strike against the run of play. Just four minutes later, he set up Ismaïla Sarr with a perfectly placed cross from the left, which Sarr nodded home to double Palace's lead.

Despite Fulham's efforts to mount a comeback in the second half, they were caught off guard once again in the 75th minute when substitute Eddie Nketiah, a former FA Cup winner with Arsenal, fired a precise shot past Bernd Leno to seal the victory.

With this win, Oliver Glasner's side advances to Wembley for the second time in four seasons, continuing their pursuit of the club’s first-ever FA Cup trophy. Meanwhile, Fulham will shift their focus to securing a European spot via the Premier League.



Eze Shines as Palace Overcomes Fulham’s Early Pressure

Much of the pre-match attention centered on the return of Palace's top scorer, Jean-Philippe Mateta, who played with a protective mask after sustaining a severe facial injury in the previous round. However, it was Eze who stole the spotlight with a brilliant individual display.

“We believe in ourselves and know what we’re capable of,” Eze said after the match. “Games like today show the mentality needed to go further in the tournament.”

The historic Craven Cottage, bathed in spring sunshine along the River Thames, provided the perfect setting for the first FA Cup meeting between these two London clubs since 1907. With several top teams already eliminated, both sets of fans arrived hopeful that this could be the year their club finally lifted a major trophy.

Fulham, runners-up in the FA Cup in 1975, started brightly, dominating possession in the opening half-hour. Rodrigo Muniz came close to scoring, while Andreas Pereira squandered a promising chance. Despite their attacking intent, it was Palace who proved more clinical.

The visitors nearly took the lead when Jefferson Lerma unleashed a stunning volley that struck the crossbar. Moments later, Eze broke the deadlock with a sensational goal, cutting inside before unleashing a powerful shot that ricocheted in off the far post.

Fulham barely had time to recover before Eze delivered another decisive moment, sending in a pinpoint cross that Sarr expertly headed into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the traveling Palace supporters.



Palace Holds Firm to Secure Historic Semifinal Spot

Fulham increased the pressure after halftime, with Willian forcing a fine save from Dean Henderson and Calvin Bassey nearly scoring in a goalmouth scramble. However, their efforts lacked conviction, and Palace remained resolute in defense.

Nketiah’s late strike ensured there would be no comeback for Fulham, as Palace secured their sixth FA Cup semifinal appearance. With a place at Wembley now confirmed, the club edges closer to making history with their first major silverware.

Later on Saturday, Brighton & Hove Albion—another club seeking their first FA Cup triumph—faced Nottingham Forest in a bid to join Palace in the semifinals.

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