Fulham 0-3 Crystal Palace: Eagles soar into FA Cup semifinals

Crystal Palace eased into the FA Cup semifinals on Saturday, beating Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage after a devastating display of clinical finishing on the counter.

MORE — FA Cup schedule | List of FA Cup winners, finals

After withstanding plenty of pressure from Fulham early on, Palace pounced to scored twice in four minutes in the first half and never looked back. Eberechi Eze scored a classy curler before setting up Ismaila Sarr to head home, while Eddie Nketiah added a late clincher off the bench.

Fulham huffed and puffed but never looked dangerous enough in the final third as Marco Silva’s side didn’t turn up when it mattered for this FA Cup quarterfinal. In stark contrast it was a professional, perfect away day display from Oliver Glasner’s side as the Austrian coach got his tactics spot on.

Peak Palace ruthless in perfect away day

Glasner wasn’t delighted with Palace in the first 30 minutes as they sat back and could hardly get on the ball. But as soon as they found their feet they never looked back. Long diagonal balls out to the left to find Eze worked a treat and he scored the first and set up a second as Eze continues his great form after scoring his first goal for England during the international break. Palace were so solid defensively and well-organized and as soon as those two goals went in during the first half, they were never going to lose. In many ways Palace are the perfect “cup team” and they put in a perfect away day display to book a semifinal date at Wembley. Just like last season they’ve peaked for the final few months of the campaign and that’s great news for their hopes of winning a first-ever major trophy. Nobody will want to play Palace in the semifinals as their defensive unit is solid and their devastating attackers can turn the game in their favor at any moment. Fulham were the latest team to find that out the hard way.

What’s next?

Fulham head to Arsenal on Tuesday, April 1. Crystal Palace head to Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday, April 2.

Fulham vs Crystal Palace score: 0-3

Eze 34', Sarr 38', Nketiah 74'

Fulham vs Crystal Palace live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright

Nketiah with a calm finish after beating the offside trap — Fulham 0-3 Crystal Palace

Two Palace subs combine as Kamada slots in Nketiah and he’s in. He takes his time and slots the ball through Leno’s legs and into the net. VAR check for offside was a tight one but the goal stands. Palace cruising. “Que sera, sera whatever will be, will be, we’re going to Wembley, que sera, sera!” is the chant from the Palace fans.

Subs galore

Nketiah and Kamada are on for Mateta and Wharton for Palace. Jimenez and Sessegnon are on for Robinson and Willian for Fulham.

Henderson denies Willian, then Bassey comes so close

Fulham so close to getting back in it. Willian’s curler looks like it’s going to sneak in and Dean Henderson gets down to his left and tips it wide. A corner is whipped in and Bassey is denied first by Lerma and then by Sarr from close range as he’s scrambling on the floor from two yards out to try and finish. Fulham so close to making it 2-1.

Traore, Smith Rowe on

The duo of Adama Traore and Emile Smith Rowe are on for Fulham. Red-hot Raul Jimenez is still on the bench for Fulham too.

Chris Richards heads away multiple crosses

USMNT center back Chris Richards is clearing everything as Palace are sitting in and soaking up the pressure from Fulham. Willian and Robinson down the left have looked dangerous but the final cross, ball or shot has just been off for the Cottagers today. So far. 30 minutes to go...

Half time: Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace

Talk about a smash and grab from Palace so far! Fulham were all over them for the first 30 minutes but Palace then kicked on with Eze’s magical opener and he did so well to set up Sarr for a second minutes later. Palace are in a wonderful position and 45 minutes away from heading to Wembley for the semifinal.

Eze finds Sarr to double the lead! — Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace

Eze is played in down the left and he has a lot of time to pick out his cross as he finds Sarr at the near post who flicks a header home. Ruthless from Palace. They’ve been second best for most of this first half but they’re 2-0 up! Fulham look stunned.

Magic from Eze has Palace ahead! — Fulham 0-1 Crystal Palace

What a wonderful goal from Eberechi Eze. The ball is played in to him on the inside left channel and he beats Lukic easily and curls a stunner in off the far post. Palace’s fans go wild at the opposite end of the stadium. Wonderful move from Palace as the ball was pinged out to the left to unbalance Fulham and Eze’s brilliance has them ahead. Glasner is loving it.

Lerma hits the crossbar!

What a strike from Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma. He waits for the ball to drop out of the air and his technique is perfect. His dipping volley is over Leno and looks like it’s flying in... but the ball hits the crossbar and bounces away. So close to a spectacular opener for Palace.

Bassey surges forward and Pereira drags it wide

Calvin Bassey strides forward from center back and links up so well with Willian. He keeps going and is in the box. His cross finds Andreas Pereira but he drags his shot wide. Great energy in this game. Palace are growing into it too but that is leaving gaps for Fulham to exploit...

Palace finally wake up

Sarr latches onto a loose ball and he’s in the box. His cross to the near post towards Mateta is cleared for a corner with Mitchell and Eze lurking at the back post. The corner comes in and Mateta is almost able to scramble it home from close range but Leno saves.

It is all Fulham

Palace have barely got out of their half so far. Fulham are whipping in crosses and have looked dangerous from corners, as Andersen’s shot is deflected wide by Lerma’s block. Great atmosphere at the Cottage.

Muniz curls wide

Brilliant play from Muniz as he turns away from two Palace defenders superbly but curls his shot just wide. Lovely forward play from the Brazilian striker.

We’re underway and Mateta has his protective headgear on

It’s a huge boost for Palace that JP Mateta is back fit and starting in this game. And the reason he’s able to is because of the protective headgear he’s wearing after that nasty ear injury he suffered. Fulham have started brightly in the sunshine in west London.

Fulham lineup

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Pereira, Iwobi, Willian; Muniz

Crystal Palace lineup

Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta

Fulham team news, focus

The Cottagers have so many players in form, especially in attack, with Jimenez, Muniz, Willian, Smith Rowe, Iwobi and Traore all capable of hurting you in very different ways. Fulham are so unpredictable to play against and are robust and solid defensively. In many ways they are the perfect cup team and Craven Cottage will be rocking on Saturday as the Cottagers aim to reach a first FA Cup semifinal since 2002.

OUT: Harry Wilson (foot), Kenny Tete (knee), Reiss Nelson (hamstring)

Crystal Palace team news, focus

All of the focus is on whether or not Jean-Philippe Mateta will be fit to play some part after he suffered a serious head wound in the last 16 game against Millwall. Palace’s talisman required 25 stitches in his ear after being kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, but could feature in this quarterfinal and is likely to wear a protective face mask. Elsewhere Adam Wharton will be influential in midfield as he continues to return to his best after injury, while star playmaker Eze and captain Guehi had good international breaks with England. Ismaila Sarr has been in great form recently and is one to watch here.

OUT: Cheick Doucoure (knee), Chadi Riad (knee), Joel Ward (calf), Will Hughes (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Jean-Philippe Mateta (head)

Fulham vs Crystal Palace prediction

This feels like it will be very tight and tense and could well go to extra time. Expect Fulham to get the job done as one of their many attacking options will be the hero. Fulham 2-1 Crystal Palace (AET).

Fulham vs Crystal Palace preview

It’s hard to predict who based on current form, as Fulham have won six of their last eight games in all competitions and are fighting for Champions League qualification in the Premier League. Marco Silva has done a superb job in west London and their recruitment was sublime in the summer and their fans are dreaming of a first-ever FA Cup trophy. Fulham truly are a fun team to watch.

Palace have once again warmed up as the season has gone on and Oliver Glasner’s side come alive as soon as they spot a glimpse of the spring sunshine in England. Palace won 2-0 at Fulham in the Premier League in late February and have won five of their last six games in all competitions. After a slow start to the season they’re back on track and their stars are shinning in attack. Palace reached the FA Cup final in 2015-16 where they led late on but then lost to Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United in extra time.

How to watch Fulham vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 8:15am ET Saturday (March 29)

Venue: Craven Cottage — London

TV/streaming: ESPN+