Crystal Palace are through to the FA Cup quarter-finals after running out 3-1 winners against Millwall on Saturday.
The fifth-round tie at Selhurst Park was marred by a particularly bad challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts early on in the game.
Mateta received eight minutes of treatment on the pitch before he was stretchered off, while Roberts was sent off after a VAR check.
Crystal Palace got the first goal of the game when Japhet Tanganga put through his own net in the 33rd minute, before Daniel Munoz made it 2-0 in the 40th minute.
Wes Harding halved the deficit deep in first-half stoppage time, but Eddie Nketiah made sure of victory with a superb header nine minutes from time.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner, speaking after the game, shared what he found so “amazing” about the £30million man’s goal.
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Oliver Glasner says Eddie Nketiah goal was ‘one of the most difficult headers’ to pull off
Glasner, speaking to reporters after the game, noted how Nketiah’s effort was “one of the most difficult headers” a player would have to pull off.
“He can be very happy with it – it was an amazing header,” Glasner told the Palace website.
“He had to run backwards and then heading into the opposite direction is one of the most difficult headers you can have, technically, and getting all the power. It was amazing.
“We’re doing this [training it], of course, for scoring goals.
“We’re doing it so that the players get used to good crosses and timing, and also for having fun, having a competition and scoring goals because at the end, you need to score goals to win games.
“Of course, it’s good when it helps, and Eddie did it today.”
Nketiah’s goal was his second at Selhurst Park in the space of five days, having also netted late on in the midweek Premier League win over Aston Villa.
Oliver Glasner gives Jean-Philippe Mateta update
Glasner revealed after the game that Mateta went to hospital and has a “serious ear injury”.
However, the manager hoped it was “not too serious” and hoped Mateta would be available for the FA Cup quarter-finals at the end of March.
“He’s at hospital now and has a serious ear injury, but fingers are crossed that it’s not too serious,” said Glasner.
“I think he will definitely miss the Ipswich game [on 8th March], but I still hope that he’s available for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the end of March, so four weeks’ time.
“Of course, we all wish him the best.”
Mateta posted an Instagram story after the game which read: “Thank you all for your kind messages.
“I’m doing well. I hope to be back very soon. And stronger than ever. Well done guys for the great job today. I love you. JP.”
