Talking points from Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win at Doncaster – Eagles book Millwall clash in a functional performance
Crystal Palace booked their place in the last 16 of the FA Cup on Monday evening after a 2-0 win at League Two side Doncaster Rovers.
Goals from Daniel Munoz and Justin Devenny saw the Eagles set up a home fifth round tie against South London rivals Millwall.
Here are Adam Sells’ talking points from the Keepmoat:
MILLWALL AWAIT
Palace are in the Fifth Round and that is all that matters after a professional, if at times stodgy performance at the Eco-Power Stadium on Monday night.
There were lots of feelings of déjà vu in terms of the club’s recent cup runs. Facing ‘The Lions’ – this time at Selhurst Park – for the second time in three years.
A 2-0 FA Cup victory at Doncaster Rovers for the second time in six years, then there was the coincidence of the Eagles winning their fourth successive away game in all competitions by the same scoreline.
Without being anywhere near their best, Oliver Glasner’s men were never in trouble, as the home side were not able to penetrate Palace’s well-organised backline easily and passed up the half-chances that came their way.
Will Hughes and Adam Wharton were excellent in front of them, but for much of the game the lack of thrust in the final third meant many attacks broke down.
Without Eberechi Eze, Eddie Nketiah, Ismaila Sarr, Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad and Joel Ward through injury or illness, Glasner rested Dean Henderson and left Jefferson Lerma on the bench. He also withdrew the ever-reliable Tyrick Mitchell at half-time in order to give him a much-needed ‘time-out.’
Given the lack of pace and fluidity it was a cleverly worked free-kick that broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark.
Daichi Kamada’s clever ball found Jean-Phillippe Mateta, who swivelled and shot against the post, with Daniel Muñoz bundling home from close range.
Justin Devenney doubled the lead on fifty-five minutes, finishing Will Hughes floated ball with aplomb. Ironically, the Northern Irish youngster had missed an easier opportunity to score a few minutes earlier, fluffing his lines from six yards with the goal gaping.
GOOD NEWS ALL ROUND
Ben Chilwell amused some fans with his signing announcement “Chilly here” and it was certainly chilly here in Yorkshire as he made his debut.
The Palace boss was really pleased with the fact he was able to get the Chelsea loanee on the field for his first minutes in a Palace shirt.
Post-match the Austrian was also keen to stress his satisfaction facilitating playing time for the afore mentioned England international Wharton, new boy Romain Esse and the returning Matheus Franca.
The latter received a huge ovation from the two thousand travelling fans in the away end as he entered the fray with a couple of minutes to go for the first time in more than ten months.
The boy from Brazil arrived to a huge fanfare in the summer of 2023 and has managed just 323 minutes of first-team action since then and it would be a huge boost if he is able to make a contribution between now and the end of the season.
FANTASTIC FUNCTION… FLAIR A FLAW
Glasner is a superb coach. It is clear that he is able to set up his teams with a solid foundation that knows how to win games. Super fit, well drilled, well organised, but with the way the team is structured, much depends upon the two ‘number 10’ positions in order to win matches.
This has been an issue all season following the departure of Michael Olise and it was during the previous campaign whenever he, or Eze were unavailable.
With Glasner opting to start with Devenny and Kamada in the roles Palace really struggled in creating chances in open play for long periods against a League Two outfit.
Glasner’s opposite number Grant McCann made it difficult for the opening forty-five minutes, always leaving six against five. Devenny and Kamada are both very good technicians, but neither really has the ability to go past players – which made Palace too easy to defend against. With no real pace on the counter-attack, Palace couldn’t get in behind their opponents and were unable to unlock them one versus one.
It was perhaps a surprise the Esse was not given a start and he showed glimpses of his ability once replacing Devenny.
It has been the form of Sarr that has been crucial to turning the club’s slow start around this season. Though not necessarily perfectly suited, when the Senegalese forward has done well, Palace tend to win.
With Esse and a fit again França added things look a little better. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is set to return this summer, so there is a young group of emerging talent to add much-needed competition to the squad.
The pursuit of the likes of Ryan Cherki and Ben Doak seems to suggest that another slightly more experienced is also required to complete the squad. This may well be the critical piece of the jigsaw that must be added if the club is to push on.