Crystal Palace emerged victorious with a 2-0 win against Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round, setting up an enticing meeting with Millwall in the next stage. This compelling encounter took place at the Eco-Power Stadium on Monday, 10th February 2025, drawing a crowd of 12,739 spectators. Daniel Munoz and Justin Devenny were the stars of the evening, each netting goals that sealed the win for Palace.
Daniel Munoz opened the scoring for Crystal Palace in the 31st minute, delivering a decisive blow to Doncaster's defense. His well-placed shot set the tone for the match, allowing Palace to maintain control over proceedings. Justin Devenny doubled the lead in the 55th minute, capitalizing on Palace's dominance and further dampening Doncaster's hopes of a comeback.
The match also marked a significant personal milestone for Ben Chilwell, who made his debut appearance for Crystal Palace after being introduced as a substitute at half-time. Chilwell had not played since appearing for Chelsea in a Carabao Cup tie against Barrow in September. His introduction invigorated Palace's play, showcasing his skill and adaptability on the field.
Doncaster Rovers had their chances, notably when Molyneux found himself in a promising position on the hour mark. However, his shot was directed straight at Matt Turner, who managed to keep a clean sheet with relative ease. Earlier in the match, Ethan Ennis attempted to give Doncaster a foothold with a tame effort, but Turner's composed save ensured that Palace's advantage remained intact.
Despite the defeat, Grant McCann, Doncaster Rovers' manager, expressed pride in his team's performance. He praised their efforts and highlighted that the game was akin to a Premier League-level contest due to Crystal Palace's commanding display. McCann acknowledged that Palace controlled the game for the initial 60 minutes, leaving little opportunity for Rovers to make their mark.
Crystal Palace's dominance was apparent when Daichi Kamada's low free-kick cleverly set up Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose shot unfortunately rebounded off the post. This near-miss encapsulated Palace's attacking prowess throughout the match.
Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace's head coach, was elated with the result and the atmosphere within the team.
"I could feel the excitement in the dressing room," said Glasner.
He expressed confidence in his squad's ability to progress further in the competition.
"As long as you are in the competition you can win it. We will go for it. I don't know if it will work but we will go for it, definitely," Glasner added.
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