Crystal Palace

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

On a weekend where progressing in the FA Cup should have drawn an unblemished positive response, Saturday's victory over Millwall was marred by the injury inflicted on Jean-Phillipe Mateta.

There is a significant risk factor that comes with any head or neck injury, and even the 25 stitches that Mateta received in the hospital could be viewed as a fortunate outcome given the dangers of that particular high boot.

It is easy to understand the events that followed - the clearly emotional but justified response by chairman Steve Parish when interviewed at half-time. Also, the muted performance from the home team headed into the second half after getting updates on their talismanic forward.

Under those circumstances, it was the Frenchman's replacement that rose to the occasion. Eddie Nketiah, who ended the contest with his headed goal in the second half, earned man-of-the-match honours from the fans.

There is no fixed time scale on Mateta's return beyond knowing he will miss the Premier League game on Saturday. This thrusts the ex-Arsenal forward Nketiah into a very unfamiliar situation during his time at Palace by being the attack's focal point.

It was evident against Millwall that the team, used to the physical size and presence of Mateta, struggled to adapt without the option of playing direct. In planning for Ipswich at the weekend, they must find a different route to suit the next man up in attack.

Despite the sizeable financial investment in his recruitment, Nketiah has been in limbo within Oliver Glasner's team, a different profile to Mateta and without the comfort to play in attacking midfield.

Following back-to-back goals, and clearly with the support of his fellow players in the celebrations for both, it is up to Nketiah to kickstart his season in its closing stages.

Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external

Real Madrid scouts have checked on Adam Wharton since the midfielder's return to first-team action at Crystal Palace. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Millwall goalkeeper could face further punishment for his horror challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Crystal Palace striker Mateta was taken to hospital after being kicked in the head by Roberts in the eighth minute of Palace's 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round win on Saturday.

Roberts was sent off after a VAR review, with the footage showing he kicked the side of Mateta's head, having dashed from his line to clear the ball. Play was initially allowed to carry on by referee Michael Oliver.

The 27-year-old forward was treated on the pitch and given oxygen before being taken to an ambulance. He needed 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear.

The Football Association could now look into the challenge if it deems the red card - with Roberts now suspended for three games - to be insufficient punishment.

If the FA thinks a dismissal offence is "truly exceptional", it can seek to increase the sanction by submitting a claim to a regulatory commission.

They have until 13:00 GMT on Tuesday to do this and submit evidence to the Lions, with the Championship side then having a further two days - until 18:00 on Thursday - to respond and provide any evidence supporting their case the red card was "clearly sufficient".

The regulatory commission would then hear the case and decide Roberts' new punishment if any FA claim is successful.

Mateta posted on social media on Saturday: "I'm doing well. I hope to be back very soon and stronger than ever. Well done guys for the great job today."

We asked for your views on Crystal Palace's performance in the FA Cup win over Millwall.

Here are some of your comments:

Kevin: I thought we made hard work of beating Millwall after they went down to 10 men, but we rarely looked like losing it. I hope JP isn't too seriously injured and he will be back after the international break. I doubt he will be risked for the Ipswich game, even if he has a speedy recovery. Managing the squad for the coming games will be a key consideration.

Trevor: In the next round, but only after a pretty inept display. We were two goals up against 10 men and there seemed to be a complete lack of urgency. Against better opposition the result could easily have been different.

Steve: We did amazingly well given the incident that took JP out and the impact on the squad of seeing a player being stretchered straight into an ambulance from the pitch. We were cruising at 2-0 and took our eye off the game - that gave Millwall some hope for a period in the middle of the game. It is good we have a long break in March for JP to recover without it affecting us too much.

Theo: Great play! I hope Mateta is OK because it was a reckless challenge from Liam Roberts. However, it was a great opportunity for Eddie Nketiah and he certainly took it! A great game all round.

Gary: I'm pleased we got through, but it is difficult to be overjoyed given the situation with JP. The Millwall goalkeeper should be banned for six games after his reckless challenge. I hope JP will be OK, I couldn't really concentrate on the match after that.

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace defender Ben Chilwell says it was "great to be back" on the football pitch after being handed his first start in over a year by Oliver Glasner, after moving to Selhurst Park on loan from Chelsea in search of more minutes.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the Eagles sealed their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Chilwell said: "A few of the boys asked me how long it had been after the game and I think it's been roughly a year, so it was great to be out there. I felt fit and I felt good.

"You train hard in training but there is nothing like a match, so you always wonder how you're going to feel. I felt great the whole game and it was good to get a full 90 minutes.

"I've gone into Chelsea for the past six months and trained hard every day, waiting for the opportunity but not knowing if it was going to come. This was the day that it came and I just had to make sure I was ready."

The England international has already played in two FA Cup finals with Chelsea and he revealed his loan club have set their sights on reaching Wembley this season.

"It's definitely something that is spoken about in the changing room," Chilwell said. "We aren't going to hide from the fact that we want to win the cup. It's every game at a time but there are definitely talks that we want to go far in it.

"I've played two FA Cup finals and had two losses, so hopefully it could be third time lucky. I've been pleasantly surprised how ambitious this squad is in the Premier League and in the FA Cup."

The draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals has been made. Here are the four ties in the order they were drawn.

Games will be played over the final weekend of March.

• Fulham v Crystal Palace

• Preston v Aston Villa

• Bournemouth v Manchester City

• Brighton v Nottingham Forest/Ipswich

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace goalscorer Eddie Nketiah has also been speaking to BBC Sport about the result: "I'm gutted for JP [Jean-Philippe Mateta]. He is a big character and I wish him a speedy recovery. I'm happy we got the win for him, and we go into the next round."

On getting minutes in his tank: "This is unfortunately football sometimes. I want to play minutes, I work hard every day to do that, and I got the opportunity today - but not in the best circumstance.

"I felt good. I knew it was going to be a tough game. I had to stay patient and, when the moment came, I had to be ready to take it.

"I pride myself on working hard every day. I'm ready and hopefully more opportunities will come. I just want to be out there and to help the team."

On whether Crystal Palace can win the FA Cup: "I've been able to experience that with Arsenal, so it would be nice to do it with Palace. We are one step closer and, if we do well in next round, we will be at Wembley."

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has provided an update on Jean-Philippe Mateta to BBC Sport: "He is conscious and he is in hospital. His ear looks terrible. It's a very serious injury so we hope all the best for him. We are not really happy. We can't be really happy. Of course it's a great win and we are into the quarter-finals, but when you lose a player, especially with a foul like this, you have two different feelings in your stomach."

"Honestly, I didn't want to see it. I just watched it and it's terrible. I'm sure the goalkeeper didn't want to injure JP in this situation, no player wants this. But if you get to the ball with this intensity, with the foot at this height, you cannot do that. It's so dangerous and we all have responsibilities for our health.

"I don't want to blame him, but it is a terrible foul. I didn't see it in the game, it was so quick. I could see the goalkeeper had a lot of intensity, but he touched the ball first. I have seen it now in slow motion, and it is worse."

On his players' reaction after the incident: "The players did well until the 55th minute in the first half. We controlled the game, the lead was 2-0, we unnecessarily gave them the ball before half-time and then all of a sudden it was 2-1.

"They got their belief back. The second half wasn't the best half, we didn't create a lot of chances but Eddie [Nketiah] decided the game. It was an amazing header.

"It is tough to talk about game because I have this clip [of the challenge on Mateta] in my mind.

"We are going to quarter-finals in the FA Cup, a great achievement. Fingers crossed and hoping all the best for JP."

On Eddie Nketiah's performance: "He needs to get back into the rhythm. You need this rhythm in competitive games to keep going, stay in the game and wait as a striker. They played a deep block so he had to wait and then he decided the game for us."

On whether Crystal Palace can win the FA Cup: "It is about winning the quarter-final. The draw is tomorrow, let's see what team we will face.

"At the moment, we are just waiting good news for JP. Hopefully he is back then."

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has been speaking to BBC Sport about Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts' challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta: "It was a little worrying actually. We wish him a speedy recovery. We hope he is doing well and can rejoin the team as quickly as possible."

On Eddie Nketiah's performance: "I expect that from him. He is a team player, he is never moaning or complaining. We are very proud of him. He is a top player."

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display? Let us know here

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace have now reached the FA Cup quarter-finals in three of the last seven seasons (also 2018-19 and 2021-22), as many times as in the previous 36 campaigns.

Eddie Nketiah has scored in consecutive matches in all competitions for Crystal Palace for the first time. He last scored in consecutive matches whilst playing for Arsenal, with a run of three games between November and December 2022.

Were you at Selhurst Park or following the game from elsewhere?

Tell us your thoughts on Palace's performance here

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Saturday's FA Cup action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Crystal Palace v Millwall (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Preston v Burnley (12:15)

• Bournemouth v Wolves (15:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Will in-form Crystal Palace go for it in the FA Cup? I really hope so.

Oliver Glasner's side have improved as the season has gone on and they are comfortably in mid-table of the Premier League without any danger of going down. A cup run would really cap this as a successful campaign for him.

It would have an even bigger impact for Palace's fans. I still remember Ian Wright's goals in the 1990 final where they lost to Manchester United in a replay. They lost to United in the 2016 final too, and it would be great to give them a new memory.

This won't be easy, because former Norwich boss Alex Neil took charge of Millwall at the end of last year and is doing a good job.

They have been quite stubborn in recent weeks and I'm expecting more of the same here, but the Eagles should edge it in normal time.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Watch live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

The road to Wembley continues this weekend, as teams battle it out to book their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

There is still lots of Premier League interest in the competition, with 11 top-flight teams all dreaming of a trip to Wembley. Aston Villa are already in the hat for the last eight after victory over Cardiff City on Friday.

The draw will take place on BBC One after Sunday's tie between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford, which kicks off at 16:30 GMT and features Danny Murphy, Micah Richards and Wayne Rooney in the studio with host Gary Lineker.

If you're wondering how to follow the remaining fifth-round ties, find all the information you need here.

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round game against Millwall (kick-off 12:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "All players are fit and available. Marc Guehi is OK [after the win over Aston Villa]. It helped that we had one more day between these two games. The only change is Matheus Franca will be in the squad, and Caleb Kporha won't be, but all others are ready."

• Glasner said he has "not decided" whether midfielder Adam Wharton, who made his first Premier League start since October on Tuesday after recovering from a long-term groin injury, will play: "We have to be smart and not say 'he had a great game, so he'll play again three days later.' He was injured for a very long time, then had 10 minutes at Fulham, and 80 minutes against Villa. It's the third game in seven days – so let's see. We have one more day."

• On if Palace can win the FA Cup: "We have to show it tomorrow. That's why I don't talk about winning the FA Cup now when we are at the round of 16. We are facing a good Millwall side and they will try to take their chances. It makes no sense talking about winning a trophy when you are in the round of 16."

• On preparing for their Championship visitors: "We will play with the best available team, with who's ready and fit. It's not about giving someone a gift – 'now you get some minutes because it's an FA Cup game' – this is disrespectful to Millwall. They can expect that we will play with our best team because this is what they deserve. They won at Leeds [in the fourth round], so that shows that they are able to win away against a good team. We have to be very focused and concentrated."

• Glasner continued: "I'm expecting a great game in a great environment. A sold-out Selhurst Park and lovely weather is predicted. I think that's why we all love football. The FA Cup, it's Saturday, high noon, so it is everything that we want."

• On teenage winger Romain Esse, who joined Palace from Millwall last month, Glasner said: "Every player wants to play the whole time. Of course, I know that maybe it's a special game for Romain, but I never promise any player that he plays. It's all about how the game is going. I have definitely in my mind that he will get some minutes."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Watch Crystal Palace v Millwall from 12:15 GMT on Saturday on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app

Image source, Getty Images

This will be the eighth FA Cup tie between Crystal Palace and Millwall, with the Eagles progressing three times and the Lions going through four times.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on the one thing going on at Crystal Palace that is being overlooked.

Here are some of your comments:

Freddie: Daniel Munoz. From the moment of joining last January, he's added another dimension to our attack, ever present in the opposition box and full of energy in both attack and defence. Finishing has improved over recent weeks as well but for the best part of last year, it rarely got a mention. It wouldn't surprise me if other clubs come "swooping" for one of the most consistently performing Eagles.

Richard: Chris Richards. When Chelsea suddenly recalled Trevoh Chalobah in January, we thought this was going to be a serious problem for a defence that didn't seem to have much strength in depth. But Chris has now become a fixture in a back three that is performing as strongly as ever. He has played an outstanding role in this.

Bill: The massive improvement of Will Hughes. He has been a real anchor in midfield since he has had a run in the side. So much so that he has made himself undroppable. The only fly in his ointment is his disciplinary record, which, with a two-match ban coming up, threatens his continued place in the team.

Richard: I think huge credit has to go to Hughes this season. He's been crucial to the way the team has managed to navigate through the injuries we suffered earlier in the season. He's been a real warrior and leader in the middle of the pitch. While, he lacks pace, he's actually a great footballer, well balanced, good feet, with an eye for a pass and great positional awareness. He is often overlooked when talking about the mercurial talents around him but he pins it all together. Every good team needs a Will Hughes.

Jon: No-one is talking about how good Dean Henderson has been for Palace since he's come in. A lot of fans were sceptical about a large outlay on a goalkeeper who at times had been hit and miss. Especially since we had a decent keeper in Sam Johnstone already. But, since coming into the team, he has done an amazing job and has been a large part in why our defence has been solid with his organisational skills. Not to mention that he makes big saves when he needs to. Getting a few in the face for his troubles.

Olly: Henderson in goal is quietly going about his business. Palace can play out of the back and stretch opponents because of him. Knocking it around at the back, he and the defence draw in opposition players to create space in the middle of the pitch - which allows us to then press quicky - in part because Henderson is so comfortable on the ball. He's become a safe pair of feet as well as a safe pair of hands. But it's not just his short game, his long kicking game is just as decent - often playing the direct route up to Jean-Philippe Mateta. He's doing more than enough to give Thomas Tuchel a selection headache.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish says the prospect of an independent regulator in football has "basically paralysed the game".

The Palace chairman and co-owner was speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, where he spoke about a wide range of topics including Crystal Palace, the Premier League and investment issues in football.

Parish is one of the most vocal in the owners and shareholders meeting and he was asked about what the potential introduction of a regulator could mean for the game.

"We have a problem that we are constantly being told that we are not a business and we're a sport. And that we are part too of the fabric of communities and that we need to prioritise winning over everything else and that's fair and that's why most of us go into it," Parish said.

"And then at the same time, we're in court being treated until the nth degree like a business.

"We have got the spectre of a government regulator as everybody knows, who unfortunately wants to interfere in all the things we don't want them to interfere in and help with none of the things we actually need help with it feels.

"The dynamic of English football has worked outstandingly over the years.

"The various different gravitational pulls of the EFL, the FA, the Premier League have got to the right answer."

However, despite what Parish believes is positive in the current structure, he thinks that the prospect of new rules and a regulator is stopping the game from progressing.

"We are now in a complete paralysis because the government have put this spectre of a regulator and have basically paralysed the game and driven it into the courts," Parish said.

"I don't think that is good but I don't think it is the fault of the Premier League or the Premier League's leadership. I think that there are other factors that have contributed to that and they are doing their best to try and find a way through it.

"And all the time this still - very fortuitously and through a lot of hard work by people at the Premier League - it's one of the few sporting leagues that's growing its media value and growing its appeal globally and we need to take care of that."