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Fulham 0-3 Crystal Palace: Eze leads impressive visitors to FA Cup semi-final

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Crystal Palace booked a date at Wembley Stadium as they progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals with a hugely impressive 3-0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage. 

Both sides had chances in a lively opening 20 minutes, with Andreas Pereira seeing his driven effort flash past the post before Jefferson Lerma cracked the crossbar with a brilliant volley. 

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Palace midfielder Adam Wharton was also fortunate not to be sent for an early bath after flicking a boot at Rodrigo Muniz while already on a yellow card. 

Fulham's potential sense of injustice was added to when the Eagles, specifically Eberechi Eze, hit them with a double sucker punch in the space of four minutes. 

The England attacker cut in from the left and curled a stunning effort past Bernd Leno from the edge of the box in the 34th minute before turning provider for Ismaila Sarr. 

Eze was given far too much room to whip a cross towards the near post, where the Senegalese forward was on hand to stoop and head into the Fulham net. 

Marco Silva made several changes in the second half, but for all of his side's possession, they could not find a way back into the contest, with Calvin Bassey coming closest amid a goalmouth scramble.

Instead, it was two of Oliver Glasner's substitutes who sealed the win for Palace. 

Daichi Kamada set Eddie Nketiah free down the left, and he stayed just onside before coolly finishing past Leno to confirm Palace's spot in the semi-final for a second time in four seasons, as they continue to fly higher and higher in 2025 and chase a first-ever major trophy. 

Data Debrief: Eze does it again

It had already been an incredible week for Eze, who scored his first goal for England on his first appearance under Thomas Tuchel, before he capped it off with a starring role on Saturday. 

The Palace attacker, who also notched his 10th assist this season while teeing up Sarr, scored the opening goal to set his side on their way, and once again, it came from distance.

Of the six goals he has scored for his club this season, four have come from outside the box, a tally only Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes (both six) can better among Premier League players. 

With the scoreline 3-0 in favour of Palace but the xG (expected goals) only 1.46 to 1.21, it is safe to say Eze proved the difference. 

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