Crystal Palace first team in 2024-2025 FA Cup semi-finals

Crystal Palace has become the first team to book a spot in the semi-finals of the 2024-2025 FA Cup after an impressive 3-0 away win over Fulham. The Eagles, currently 12th in the Premier League, stunned their London rivals—who sit four places higher on the table—at a sunny Craven Cottage. This marks Palace’s first return to the last four since the 2021/2022 season, when they lost 2-0 to Everton in the semi-finals. Against Fulham, Roy Hodgson’s side executed a tactically disciplined performance, striking at key moments and holding firm at the back.

Fulham starts strong, Palace strikes first

Fulham dominated the early exchanges, with Andreas Pereira firing the first warning shot wide in the 19th minute after a turnover by Jefferson Lerma. Just minutes later, Lerma almost redeemed himself with a thunderous volley that smashed off the crossbar. Palace midfielder Adam Wharton was fortunate to stay on the pitch after escaping a second yellow for a kicking motion, but that moment turned the tide. In the 34th minute, Eberechi Eze latched onto a pass from Tyrick Mitchell, cut inside, and fired a precise shot in off the post to make it 0-1. Just four minutes later, Eze turned provider. This time from the right, he delivered a pinpoint cross with his left foot to find Ismaïla Sarr at the near post, who headed home to double Palace’s lead before the break.

Fulham fails to break through

The second half saw Fulham launch wave after wave of attacks in search of a comeback. Palace keeper Dean Henderson was called into action multiple times, including a key save on Willian’s powerful strike in the 68th minute. From the resulting corner, Calvin Bassey had two close-range opportunities but was twice denied by the resilient Palace defense. Fulham’s hopes were finally dashed in the 75th minute when substitute Edward Nketiah calmly slotted in the third goal on the counter-attack, sealing a comprehensive victory for Palace. Crystal Palace now awaits the results of the remaining quarter-final fixtures to see who will be between them and the FA Cup final. As the South London club dreams of lifting the FA Cup for the first time in their history.