Crystal Palace secured their spot in the FA Cup fifth round with a solid 2-0 victory over Doncaster at the Eco-Power Stadium. Goals from Colombia wing-back Daniel Munoz and Northern Ireland international Justin Devenny ensured the Eagles emerged victorious, setting up a home clash against Millwall.
Despite facing a well-organized Rovers side, Palace managed to find the net twice. Munoz opened the scoring from a cleverly executed free-kick in the 31st minute, while Devenny doubled the lead early in the second half. The Eagles struggled to carve out clear chances but stabilized their defense effectively throughout the match.
Doncaster had opportunities to shift the momentum in their favor, including a notable effort from Ethan Ennis, whose shot from the edge of the area did not trouble Palace goalkeeper Matt Turner. However, the Rovers couldn’t capitalize on their chances and exited the competition.
Palace head coach expressed confidence in his team’s capability to win the FA Cup, stating, “As long as you are in the competition, you can win it. We will go for it.” He praised the team’s performance, noting that they controlled the game for significant stretches despite facing challenges from Doncaster’s strategic approach.
Looking ahead, the excitement in the Palace dressing room is palpable as they prepare to face their South London rivals Millwall in the next round. This matchup promises to heighten the stakes as both teams aim for a place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Grant McCann, manager of Doncaster Rovers, expressed pride in his players’ efforts and recognized the quality of the Premier League side. He stated, “The second goal we don’t concede in League Two – that’s just Premier League quality.” Despite the defeat, he conveyed that the team’s performance should be a source of pride for the city.
