Crystal Palace faced off against their local rivals Millwall on March 1, 2025, at Selhurst Park for the fifth round of the FA Cup, setting the stage for what was anticipated as a thrilling encounter between two fiercely competitive sides.
The atmosphere was electric as fans arrived, packing Selhurst Park, with both sets of supporters eager to see their side progress to the next round. Crystal Palace, under the management of Oliver Glasner, was expected to put on a solid performance, especially after their recent victory against Aston Villa, where they dominated the match with a scoreline of 4-1.
Determined to make the most of their home advantage, Palace looked to control the game early on. The match started with high intensity, but things took a dramatic turn just eight minutes in when Millwall's goalkeeper, Liam Roberts, was shown a red card after committing a dangerous foul on Patrick Mateta. The incident came as Roberts collided with Mateta, catching him with his studs—an act initially overlooked by the referee but later reviewed by VAR, resulting in the red card.
"It's baffling how Michael Oliver chose to play on after such a shocking challenge," remarked one commentator during the match, reflecting the immediate shock from fans and players alike. This left Millwall with ten men and led to Lukas Jensen stepping up as the substitute goalkeeper for the remainder of the match.
Despite being down to ten men, Millwall managed to regroup and defend vigorously, showcasing the resilience often required for such high-stakes matches. They absorbed pressure from Palace, which was clearly dominating possession. The Eagles attempted several attempts to breach Millwall's defense, with Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah creating chances but finding the Millwall defense steadfast.
Palace’s new recruit, Nketiah, made his presence felt shortly after his introduction as he seized upon opportunities to shoot at goal. He had one effort ruled out for offside, adding to the frustrations for Palace fans waiting for the first goal. "These match situations can turn at any moment; there’s still plenty of time left for something to happen," noted former England defender Matt Upson during the broadcast.
On the sideline, the Palace management was visibly animated, especially concerned following Mateta's incident. The forward was eventually stretchered off, receiving applause from the fans, exemplifying his importance to the team. "We wish Jean-Philippe Mateta all the best and we hope he is okay. He's such a huge part of the game," stated Alex Howell, BBC's football news reporter, highlighting the player's significance to Palace's attacking style.
But even with the one-man advantage, Palace struggled to find the back of the net as Millwall’s backline remained resolute, backed by the heroics of Jensen, who made multiple saves to keep the score level. Notably, Eze's shot from distance was denied by Jensen, showcasing the goalkeeper's quick reflexes.
Millwall’s head coach, Alex Neil, had emphasized the need for his side not to play recklessly against their more illustrious opponents. "We want to go there and be really competitive; we want to play on the front foot," said Neil before the match, and his team certainly embodied this spirit as they defended under pressure.
Midway through the first half, Millwall's Camiel Neghli fell to the ground due to injury as well, adding to their woes. Despite these setbacks, they managed to withstand the onslaught from Palace, heading to half-time with the score still at 0-0—an impressive feat considering the circumstances.
Moving to the second half, Palace continued to press Millwall, yet they still found it hard to convert possession and chances created. The match showcased efforts from multiple players, but no definitive breakthrough occurred. Upson remarked, "It feels like we’re just waiting for the inevitable Palace breakthrough, but Millwall is proving difficult to break down.”
Both sides attempted to exploit the other's weaknesses, but as time dwindled, any clear-cut chances remained elusive. Millwall's solid defensive structure frustrated the Palace attacks, maintaining their intent on counter-attacking opportunities when they arose.
Supporters hoped for excitement as the second half rolled on, with the tension palpable throughout Selhurst Park. Both sets of fans were deeply invested, chanting for their teams to find the quality needed to steal the game.
Despite this fierce local rivalry and the stakes of the FA Cup, the match concluded without any goals, ending 0-0. Both teams faced the possibility of penalties to determine who would advance.
Overall, this clash reflected the drama and unpredictability of the FA Cup, with both teams showing their determination to progress. Crystal Palace will certainly be disappointed not to have utilized their one-man advantage effectively. It was another intense chapter added to the historical rivalry between these two clubs.
With players like Mateta under medical observation after his head injury, the post-match updates will be closely followed by fans eager for news on his condition. Meanwhile, with Millwall facing considerable challenges going forward, the team's performance under adversity showcased their fighting spirit.
Looking forward, both teams will need to recover quickly as they gear up for upcoming fixtures, with Palace eager to bounce back and continue their pursuit of silverware and Millwall hoping to find form as they push for promotion from the Championship.