Crystal Palace edged into the FA Cup quarter-finals after a 3-1 win in opposition to native rivals Millwall, however the victory was tainted after Jean-Philippe Mateta was stretchered off.
The incident got here inside six minutes. Mateta challenged for a excessive ball simply outdoors the realm when Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts got here out of his field, catching the Palace striker’s header along with his excessive boot.
After a verify of the pitchside monitor, referee Michael Oliver despatched Roberts off, with Mateta receiving virtually 10 minutes of medical consideration on the sector earlier than being taken off. He was taken straight to hospital.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish described it as ‘essentially the most reckless problem on a soccer pitch I’ve ever seen’ when speaking to the BBC at half-time.
The Eagles started to rack up the possibilities with the extra participant, and made the breakthrough within the thirty third minute – though not from one among their very own. Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga nodded dwelling from Will Hughes’ cross, beating substitute goalkeeper Lukas Jensen.
Seven minutes later, Crystal Palace doubled their lead and Tanganga had one other hand. Daniel Munoz turned dwelling from contained in the six yard field, however the objective was initially dominated out for offside.
Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz celebrates scoring their facet’s second objective of the sport
This was overturned by Oliver, and VAR confirmed the objective would stand after the ball got here off Tanganga earlier than Munoz turned dwelling – which means he was not offside.
However with the ultimate kick of the primary half, Millwall gave themselves a lifeline. Matt Turner initially pushed away a cross, however it landed to the incoming Wes Harding, who fired dwelling.
And the Lions started the second half properly, and can really feel that they need to have equalised. However as soon as Crystal Palace settled, it was clear they might see the sport out, and added the protection of a 3rd objective within the 81st minute.
Eddie Nketiah celebrates his objective in opposition to Millwall
It was a deserved objective for Eddie Nketiah, who changed Mateta. Eberechi Eze’s free kick was nodded on by Chris Richards, earlier than the previous Arsenal striker looped a header dwelling to safe Crystal Palace’s spot in Sunday’s draw.
Parish: I’ve by no means seen a problem prefer it
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish to BBC Sport at half-time on Jean-Philippe Mateta’s harm:
“He is bought a nasty gash behind his ear and a head harm. He is on the hospital and we hope for the very best.
“There’s plenty of emotion in soccer however we have to discuss that problem. I’ve by no means seen a problem prefer it… that is essentially the most reckless problem on a soccer pitch I’ve ever seen.
Gamers from either side look on as Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta receives remedy
“He must have a protracted, laborious have a look at himself as a result of he is endangering a fellow skilled with a problem like that.
“And why the referee must go to the display, I don’t know… If you happen to’re kicking him within the head at full power, who is aware of what sort of injury may very well be finished.”
