Palace knock out solid Stockport with Eze winner

Tom Mallows
BBC Sport journalist

Eberechi Eze scored the only goal as Crystal Palace earned a place in the FA Cup fourth round with victory over League One Stockport at Selhurst Park.

The England forward took advantage of a loose touch by Odin Bailey just inside the area and drilled low into the bottom corner to put the hosts in front on four minutes.

It was Eze's fifth goal of the season and second in three games.

That would prove to be Palace's only shot on target, though, during a tame first half despite dominating possession.

Their only other opportunity was a fizzing ball across the box by Eze that was inches away from Daniel Munoz's outstretched foot.

Stockport were well organised at the back but offered limited attacking threat, with Callum Camps and Bailey shooting straight at Matt Turner from distance.

The visitors grew into the game after the break and came close to a leveller when Isaac Olaofe's shot was brilliantly saved by Turner after a Palace defensive mix-up.

Eddie Nketiah, making his first start since November, could have doubled the Premier League side's lead late on, but he headed over from six yards after Jefferson Lerma's long throw was flicked on by Marc Guehi.

Lerma and substitute Justin Devenny also wasted a good opportunities before the end as Palace pushed for a second goal.

Palace struggle to show quality against League One battlers

Palace, 15th in the Premier League, are showing signings of improvement, with this victory making it four games unbeaten in all competitions.

Boss Oliver Glasner said he would take the FA Cup seriously and named a strong starting XI, despite a crucial trip to fellow strugglers Leicester in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Eze's goal was the only moment of quality, though.

They also have USA international Turner to thank for a brilliant save to deny Olaofe a shock equaliser for Stockport midway through the second half.

The visiting Hatters, seventh in League One, more than held their own and were only opened up as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages.

Dave Challinor's side were as high as third at end of November before a run of just two wins from eight league games, not helped by the departure of top scorer Louie Barry back to parent club Aston Villa.

But they can take heart from a battling display as they look to revive their promotion push in the second half of the campaign.

Eze puts Crystal Palace ahead

Player of the match

K. Wootton
7.18
10 E. Eze
7.14
12 D. Muñoz
6.56
6 M. Guéhi
6.43
8 J. Lerma
6.30
30 M. Turner
6.29
55 J. Devenny
6.27
15 J. Schlupp
6.24
7 I. Sarr
6.21
34 C. Riad
6.08
26 C. Richards
6.08
9 E. Nketiah
5.92
17 N. Clyne
5.88
18 D. Kamada
5.79
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