Crystal Palace emerged victorious over Stockport County with a narrow 1-0 win on January 12, 2025, marking their advancement to the fourth round of the FA Cup. This triumph, which took place at Selhurst Park, was underscored by the remarkable play of midfielder Daichi Kamada, who returned to the starting lineup after four appearances on the sidelines.
The match got off to an electric start for Palace, who capitalized on their early momentum. Just four minutes after kickoff, Eberechi Eze found the back of the net, providing the Eagles with the lead they would defend for the remainder of the match. The sequence began when Nathaniel Clyne passed the ball to Kamada, who maneuvered deftly to create space on the left side of the penalty area. Kamada's initial pass was thwarted, but Eze was quick to react. He collected the loose ball and executed a powerful shot from close range, leaving the Stockport goalkeeper, Corey Addai, with little chance to respond.
With the early lead secured, Crystal Palace controlled the tempo of the game, benefitting from significant possession characteristics they lacked in recent outings. Kamada was instrumental during this time, acting as the backbone of the midfield and providing valuable contributions going forward. His efforts in creating space and moving the ball efficiently were pivotal as Palace pressed to extend their lead.
Despite their advantageous position, Palace faced moments of tension as Stockport ramped up their attacking efforts, especially around the 41st minute when Isaac Olaofe generated one of the best opportunities of the match for the League Two side. Olaofe intercepted the ball deep within Palace's own half, leading to a rapid counterattack. Following the buildup, Eboo Toure sent a cross aimed at Kyle Wootton, whose header narrowly missed the target. This near-miss highlighted both the resolve of Stockport and the defensive prowess of Palace, which was clad by center-back Marc Guéhi, who thwarted numerous advances.
The second half saw both teams exchanging attacks, with Palace’s goalkeeper, Matt Turner, putting forth impressive saves to maintain the narrow lead. Shortly after halftime, Turner showcased his acumen by deflecting another chance initiated by Stockport. The visitors fought hard to level the score but were consistently halted by Palace's determined defense and strategic playmaking.
One standout moment occurred when Kamada found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper late in the match. His well-timed pass set up teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta for what could have been the insurance goal, but unfortunately for Palace, Mateta’s shot soared over the bar. This miss, coupled with missed attempts from fellow players, added to the urgency as the clock wound down.
Despite the nail-biting finish during six minutes of stoppage time, Crystal Palace held firm, overcoming Stockport County’s attempts to equalize. Manager Oliver Glasner’s substitutions helped to maintain the scoreline as the squad, featuring five new faces from their previous outing against Chelsea, demonstrated newfound resilience. The squad, buoyed by this win, celebrated their advancement to the fourth round of the illustrious FA Cup, hoping for continued success.
After the match, Kamada expressed satisfaction with the performance, saying, "Our team struggled but showed resilience today," echoing the sentiment of his teammates who underscored the significance of each match as they rally to build confidence. The young midfielder also noted, "It’s great to return to form; every win boosts our confidence." Eze, who opened the scoring, also affirmed the importance of the win and how it reflects their growing momentum heading forward.
This victory is particularly significant for Palace as they have now overcome their struggles from earlier this season, gradually shaping themselves as competitors to be reckoned with as they aim to advance through the subsequent rounds. The Eagles now look to focus on upcoming challenges, particularly their next FA Cup match scheduled for February 7, hoping to keep the winning momentum alive.