Talking points from Crystal Palace’s 2-1 EFL Cup win at QPR – Nketiah opens account after Arsenal switch and Kamada yet to lay down midfield marker

Crystal Palace booked their place in the last 16 of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening following a 2-1 win at Championship side QPR.

Goals from Eddie Nketiah and Eberechi Eze saw Oliver Glasner’s side progress.

Here are Edmund Brack’s talking points from Loftus Road:

EDDIE NKETIAH OFF THE MARK AND SHOWING SIGNS AS THE 10

He had a good start to the game and should have had an assist to his name after 10 minutes, keeping the ball in play by the left-hand touchline and driving into the penalty area. 

The former Chelsea youngster found Eberechi Eze on the edge of the box, but on his Loftus Road homecoming, he blazed the ball high over Joe Walsh’s penalty area.

Made a smart run to catch QPR completely asleep in the 16th minute to collect Eberechi Eze’s free kick and drill an effort between the legs of Joe Walsh from a tight angle.

Nearly had a second before half-time when he cut the ball onto his left foot and drove past Steve Cook, but this time, with his opposite foot, was somehow kept out by Walsh and a combination of Kenneth Pall and Walsh kept the ball out.

Was replaced in the 65th minute, having played the full 90 against Leicester on Saturday.

DAICHI KAMADA IN A DEEPER ROLE 

The last time the Japanese midfielder played in a deeper role, it cost Palace a point in the Premier League.

Oliver Glasner brought the summer signing on in the 63rd minute against West Ham for Jefferson Lerma and the visitors scored two goals in quick succession after breaking through Palace’s midfield, which was left exposed without a physical presence.

In a game where Palace expected to dictate the play and Adam Wharton needing a rest after his hectic summer, handing Kamada a starting role back in the midfield two made sense.

Booked for a poorly timed challenge on Koki Saito just before the half-hour mark. 

Was anonymous for the majority of the second. He had the opportunity to unleash Daniel Munoz on the counter-attack from his own half in the 83rd minute but whacked the ball with too much power into the path of Walsh.

QPR HAD THEIR MOMENT 

QPR were truly on the ascendancy when Eberechi Eze put Crystal Palace 2-1 up in the 64th minute.

The hosts made a change at half-time – with Karamoko Dembele coming on – and they instantly began the second half with more intensity and intent to get back into the cup tie. 

Dean Henderson was forced into a smart stop by Paul Smyth, who met a cross at the back post, and the England stopper was called into action to help the ball over the bar.

But from the resulting corner, QPR made Palace pay when they failed to clear their lines and Sam Field smashed home a half-volley from just in front of the goal.

The home side were on top and looking to put themselves ahead for the first time in the evening, but against the run of play, and with the slice of fortune that comes with being an established Premier League side, Steve Cook deflected Eze’s effort into the back of the net.

The oomph was well and truly taken out of Loftus Road and Palace saw out the game.

QPR almost took the game to penalties in the 90th minute when Walsh’s long ball down the pitch evaded Chris Richards and fell to Alfie Llyod, but he flashed a half-volley across Henderson’s goal.

NOT THE PRETTIES BUT PALACE MAKE THE LAST 16

It would be hard to imagine Tuesday night’s cup win will live long in the memory of the Palace fans who made the trip to west London, but if they reach the final in late March, it will be a crucial win on the journey.

The Eagles have failed to reach the EFL Cup fourth round since the 2018-19 season, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, with Premier League safety prioritised over a cup run.

But Glasner has made it clear the South Londoners are looking to go all the way in this competition for the first time in the club’s history.

The Austrian manager also has a history of winning trophies – lifting the Europa League at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Palace’s performance was not vintage, and new players are still getting to grips with their surroundings, but they are only three wins away from a final clash at Wembley.

PICTURES: ROB AVIS