Crystal Palace advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Millwall in a dramatic encounter at Selhurst Park. The match was marred by an early red card for Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts and a serious injury to Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The key incident occurred in the eighth minute. Roberts, rushing out of his goal, caught Mateta in the head with a high boot as he attempted to clear the ball. Referee Michael Oliver initially allowed play to continue, but after a VAR review and consulting the pitch-side monitor, he showed Roberts a straight red card. Mateta received extensive treatment on the field before being stretchered off. Palace chairman Steve Parish later described the challenge as the “most reckless he had ever seen.”
Palace capitalized on their numerical advantage, taking the lead in the 33rd minute. Will Hughes’s curling cross was headed into his own net by Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga. Daniel Munoz doubled Palace’s lead, poking the ball home from close range after it bounced off Tanganga.
Championship side Millwall, however, refused to surrender. Wes Harding scored from inside the area just before halftime, giving the visitors a lifeline.
Substitute Eddie Nketiah, who replaced the injured Mateta, sealed the victory for Palace in the 82nd minute, heading in off the post. Nketiah also had a first-half goal disallowed for handball.
Mateta Injury Overshadows Palace Progress
This was the 100th meeting between the two clubs.
Oliver Glasner, continuing his policy of fielding strong lineups in the FA Cup, named his first-choice front three, but the early injury to Mateta cast a shadow over the victory. The severity of the injury is yet to be determined.
Ben Chilwell, making his first start since joining on loan from Chelsea, showed promising signs. Nketiah, despite a frustrating time since his arrival from Arsenal in August 2024, looked lively and could be in line for more playing time in Mateta’s absence.
The second half saw a subdued performance from Palace as they sought to manage the game, while Millwall, despite being a player down, attempted to mount a comeback.
The win extends Palace’s recent resurgence, with only two defeats in their last 13 matches across all competitions. They now await the quarter-final draw, while Millwall’s focus returns to their Championship campaign.
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