Eberechi Eze scored in the fourth minute as Premier League Crystal Palace knocked out League One side Stockport in the third round of the FA Cup.
The Eagles will head to League Two side Doncaster in the fourth round.
Here is the lowdown on the match:
THE LINE-UPS
Palace: Turner, Munoz, Guehi, Riad, Richards, Clyne [Schlupp 77], Lerma, Kamada, Sarr [Devenny 64], Eze, Nketiah.
Subs: Matthews, Mitchell, Lacroix, Mateta, Doucoure, Kporha.
Stockport: Addai, Knoyle [Mingi 84], Touray [Rydel 77], Camps, Olaofe [Andresson 77], Southam-Hales, Collar, Pye, Connolly, Wooton [Diamond 76], Bailey [Norwood 62].
Subs: Hinchliffe, Hughes, Fiorini, Gardner.
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
Palace got off to a flying start in South London, with Eberechi Eze picking up the ball on the edge of the box, shifting onto his right foot, and firing beyond Corey Addai.
Crystal Palace v Stockport County – Emirates FA Cup – 3rd Round, Selhurst Park, 12 January 2025Picture : Keith Gillard
Stockport had a great chance to equalise in the 11th minute when Isaac Olaofe got past Chadi Riad and crossed along the face of goal for Kyle Wootton, who was unable to turn the cross home.
The visitors should have equalised in the 64th minute when Olaofe robbed Chris Richards inside the area, but the ex-Millwall striker was denied by Matt Turner.
Jefferson Lerma should have killed off the afternoon in the 87th minute but got his effort all wrong after beating Addai.
TACTICAL APPROACH
Oliver Glasner continued with the same system he has deployed throughout his time in SE25 but with Tyrick Mitchell suffering with flu during the week, Nathaniel Clyne deputised at left wing-back.
Chadi Riad made his first appearance since the EFL Cup tie against Norwich back in September, where he suffered an MCL injury.
Crystal Palace v Stockport County – Emirates FA Cup – 3rd Round, Selhurst Park, 12 January 2025Picture : Keith Gillard
The Morrocan lined up on the left of a back three, with Chris Richards playing centrally due to Maxcence Lacroix also being ill during the week.
STAR MAN
Eze. The Greenwich-born attacker was the main threat for the Eagles in a very cagey first half with little Premier League quality from the home side.
He scored the opener early on with a brilliant turn and finish. The former QPR attacker also nearly doubled the advantage when he crossed along the face of goal for Daniel Munoz, who was unable to apply the finishing touch.
BEST MOMENT
The full-time whistle.
If any third round tie proved that FA Cup replays should not exist, it was this clash.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
Could have wrapped the game up quicker. With an important game up at Leicester on Wednesday night, Glasner would have hoped to have the game sealed long before the final whistle.
Crystal Palace v Stockport County – Emirates FA Cup – 3rd Round, Selhurst Park, 12 January 2025Picture : Keith Gillard
The Eagles are just five points above the relegation zone but have struggled before due to the small squad with three games within the space of the week.
Key players Marc Guehi, Ismaila Sarr, Munoz and Eze all played over 60 minutes against the League One side.
A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB
Transfers. With Palace closing in on the signing of Millwall attacker Romain Esse, many would be discussing how the 19-year-old is going to come in and have an impact on the side.
A left-footed winger who plays in the right, something Palace have been crying out for since Michael Olise left for Bayern Munich in the summer, Esse looks set to bring his creative spark to Selhurst Park after creating an impression at The Den.
Palace have swooped to pay over his summer release clause to get the deal over the line this January and beat off further competition – but it could signal the end of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s spell when he returns from Championship side Sheffield United in the summer.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“It was job done today.
Crystal Palace v Stockport County – Emirates FA Cup – 3rd Round, Selhurst Park, 12 January 2025Picture : Keith Gillard
“It was a good start into the game with the early goal – we then controlled the game.
“We had some opportunities but missed the second goal.
“We gave them one big chance in the second half through our mistake in the build-up.
“We defended a number of their long balls well but missed the opportunities to decide the game.
“It’s the story of our season. We have opportunities but we don’t score from them.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD