Crystal Palace thrashed Millwall 3-1 in the FA Cup fifth round. The game was loaded with a lot of amazing performances which kept the audience on their toes. The game was all about drama, with a surprise red card incident and injury alert for Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Eagles had some early problems but took control of the match and earned themselves a quarter-final spot.
A Stunning Start: Mateta’s Injury and Millwall Red Card
The game began with a high-intensity start, but the initial minutes witnessed a shocking moment. Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta was brutally injured due to a ferocious tackle by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. Trying to clear the ball, Roberts delivered a kung-fu kick to Mateta’s head. The force sent Mateta crashing to the ground in pain, and he was treated with urgency by the medical staff.
The referee wasted no time. Roberts was given a straight red card, and Millwall was reduced to ten players in the first 15 minutes of the match. Mateta was carried off the pitch and subsequently taken to hospital for assessment. Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed that Mateta had been injured and would be out for the upcoming match against Ipswich. But the striker confirmed to fans on Instagram that he was “doing well” and was looking to return soon.
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Palace Takes Control After Early Chaos
Having the extra man, Crystal Palace were in command. Their midfield ran the show, dragging Millwall’s weak defense out of kilter. Palace finally hit their target in the 25th minute with a well-weighted cross landing in the target man inside the box. A thunderous header above the Millwall ‘keeper off the bench saw Palace deservedly take a 1-0 lead.
Millwall could not counterattack, their backs pinned in defense as they battled to adjust to being ten men. Palace sensed the vulnerability and launched their assault unabated. Their efforts were rewarded again before halftime as a well-placed strike doubled their lead. The home ground was filled with triumphant cheers as Palace firmly asserted their dominance in the game.
Millwall Fights Back But Palace Stays Strong
Despite losing one of their players, Millwall were firm in the second half. They made tactical changes, using counter-attacks and set-pieces more frequently.
Millwall heightened their pace for a short moment. Palace was disrupted by their high-pressing strategy, sending the home team into nervousness. Hope for a come-back, nonetheless, was all derailed in the 75th minute when Palace once again scored. A quick counter-attack led to a level-headed finish, which guaranteed their two-goal cushion and shut out the game.
Palace Seals the Win and Eyes the Quarter-Finals
With a cushion comfortable in the dying minutes, Palace played assuredly, taking control of possession and silencing Millwall’s efforts to break through. The final whistle sealed their passage into the FA Cup quarter-finals, ending a thrilling but deserved win.
Speaking after the match, Oliver Glasner was full of praise for the way his team reacted to the early loss through injury. “It was a bad moment to lose Jean-Philippe so early on, but the players remained concentrated and played a good game,” he said. “Now, we go to the next round.”
What’s Next for Both Teams?
With this win, Crystal Palace progressed in the FA Cup and maintained their silverware hopes. They will, however, need to play the next games without Mateta. Glasner is optimistic that the striker will be back for the quarter-finals.
For Millwall, the FA Cup journey is finally over. Their gritty display, a man short, was proof of determination, but the early red card left it a big ask. They will now return to their league campaign, where they hope to recover from this loss.
A Derby to Remember
This London derby had it all—passion, controversy, and high-intensity football. Palace supporters will be toasting a dominant victory, while Millwall supporters will be asking themselves what might have been had the red card not been issued. Either way, the game will be remembered as one of the most dramatic games of this FA Cup campaign.
