Eze and Sarr lift Eagles past Villa and soaring into FA Cup final
SEALING IT: Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr scores their side's third goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup semi-final match at Wembley Stadium, London. Pic: Nick Potts/PA Wire
CRYSTAL Palace secured a Wembley return and the chance to win the first major trophy in the club’s history as they eased their way to a deserved FA Cup semi-final success. Ismaila Sarr scored twice after Eberechi Eze had set Oliver Glasner’s side on course for victory over an Aston Villa side whose season has taken an abrupt downturn.
The quality of the three goals - Eze put Palace ahead in the first half before Sarr added a second after the break and later confirmed their dominance in added time - summed up Palace’s display as they reached the FA Cup final for only the third time. The margin of victory might have been even more had Jean-Philippe Mateta not missed a second-half penalty.
By contrast, Villa struggled to get going and this disappointment came after the recent Champions League quarter-final defeat and the midweek loss at Manchester City that threatens their top-five hopes.
The respective league positions of the two teams suggested Villa should have the edge but Palace’s record against their opponents this season offered grounds for optimism. Glasner’s side knocked the Champions League quarter-finalists out of the League Cup, twice led in a 2-2 draw at Villa Park and ran out comfortable winners in the return league clash at Selhurst Park.
And there certainly were plenty of signs Palace believed they could inflict another defeat on Emery’s team - who were without the injured Marcus Rashford as they established a first half advantage.
Both teams were content to ease their way into the game but the contest was fired into life in the 29th minute when Mateta thought he had put Palace ahead after dispossessing Ezri Konsa only to see the effort harshly ruled out for a foul on the Villa defender.
Palace’s frustration didn’t last long however and they were ahead two minutes later after capitalising on another defensive error. This time Sarr charged down an attempted clearance by Pau Torres and maintained his composure to square for Eze who struck a superb first-time shot past Emi Martinez from 20 yards out.
Villa responded and were at their most dangerous from set-pieces with Torres heading wide and Konsa denied by a superb Dean Henderson save. But their efforts lacked imagination and they struggled to find a way through a crowded Palace defence.
There were promising signs for Emery’s side immediately after the restart when John McGinn drew another good save from Henderson when he met Matt Cash’s cross with a first time half-volley. Their response proved short-lived though and they found soon themselves in more trouble as Palace doubled their lead before the hour.
It might have been worse for Villa had Mateta not directed a 52nd-minute penalty wide after Boubacar Kamara bundled over Eze. But just as in the first half, Palace’s disappointment was short-lived and six minutes later they extended the lead thanks to Sarr’s long-range strike. The chance came after the excellent Adam Wharton robbed Youri Tielemans found Sarr who found the corner with a powerful low drive from 30 yards out.
Emery had no option to ring the changes including the introduction of winger Leon Bailey who added an extra dimension to Villa’s attacking play. But Emery’s side failed to find a way through and Palace’s progress rarely looked threatened and Sarr completed the win in added time after racing clear of the Villa backline.
Henderson 7; Richards 7, Lacroix 7, Guehi 7; Munoz 7, Wharton 8 (Lerma 88,6), Kamada 7, Mitchell 7 (Chilwell 84,6); Sarr 8, Mateta 8 (Nketiah 78,6), Eze 9 (Hughes 84,6).
Turner, Ward, Clyne, Esse, Devenny.
Martinez 6; Cash 6, Konsa 5, Torres 5, Digne 6 (Maatsen 61.6); Rogers 6 (Malen 78,6), Kamara 6 (Ramsey 68,6), Tielemans 5, McGinn 5 (Bailey 61,6); Asensio 5 (Barkley 69,6), Watkins 6.
Olsen, Mings, Garcia, Onana.
Anthony Taylor 6
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