Patrick Vieira hails Crystal Palace professionalism as they progress in FA Cup
Patrick Vieira was pleased with Crystal Palace’s professionalism and ability to deny Hartlepool United any hope in their 2-0 FA Cup win over the League Two side.
The Eagles opened the scoring after four minutes at Selhurst Park when Marc Guehi evaded the Hartlepool defence to tap home Michael Olise’s cross.
Olise doubled Palace’s lead in the 22nd minute when Joel Ward intercepted a Ben Killip goal kick, and the 20-year-old winger drove towards goal and finished just inside the area.
The South Londoners had 12 second-half shots but couldn’t find their third of the afternoon.
“I was really pleased with the team performance,” said Vieira. “We wanted to start the game well, and we managed to score two early goals that allowed us to control the game a little bit more.
“I am really pleased and happy to get through to the next round. We talked a lot about taking this game in the right way, and I was really pleased with the concentration and professionalism of the players.
“We knew that it could have been a tricky game.
“Overall, it was a really good performance. We managed to go to the next round – that was our objective.
“We wanted to start the game really well and not give them hope – we did that.
“In the second half, we managed the game. We went through some difficult periods in the second half, but overall, we managed it well.”
When asked if Palace could win the FA Cup, Vieira added: “There is a long way – we will just have to wait for the draw and see what happens.
“We want to give ourselves the best chance to have a good run in the competition.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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