Sundays football briefing Eze does it for Palace joy for Forest and more cup ties await

Eberechi Eze’s dream week continued as Crystal Palace booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a thumping 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

They will be joined at Wembley by Nottingham Forest, who won through in contrasting fashion, with a nervy penalty shoot-out win after a goalless draw with Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

The semi-final line-up will be complete later today as Bournemouth look to complete an unlikely double over Manchester City while Preston seek a major upset over Aston Villa and Marcus Rashford.

Eze does it

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner hailed the rapid rise of Eberechi Eze after his side swept into the FA Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Eze scored and set up a goal for Ismaila Sarr before Eddie Nketiah struck in the second half to confirm Palace’s first trip to Wembley in three years.

It capped a dream week for Eze, who had scored his first goal for England in the World Cup qualifier against Latvia at the national stadium.

And Glasner said: “I think Ebere has had a strange season, he hasn’t had many goals in the Premier League and he has been unlucky, but he keeps going.

“The goal against Latvia and his first for England means a lot for him. He always has this confidence, we know he’s an amazing finisher – we need this quality.”

Nervous Nuno

Nuno Espirito Santo admitted nerves got the better of him as Nottingham Forest booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 34 years after a penalty shoot-out win over Brighton.

While the rest of his players and staff congregated on the halfway line, Nuno stayed in the dug-out where he saw goalkeeper Matz Sels save spot-kicks from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez to seal his side’s win.

“I’m too nervous. It’s a moment of anxiety. And superstition. I just prefer to sit down,” admitted Nuno.

“It means a lot, it’s a huge moment for our club and on our journey. It’s a huge competition, the FA Cup. We are delighted.”

Repeat or revenge

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has called on his players to give everything in order to beat Manchester City and book the Cherries’ place in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history.

Iraola’s side stunned City with a 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium at the start of November but he acknowledged that the draw could have been kinder as his side have a huge obstacle to overcome.

“I don’t know if it is going to be enough to beat City, but everyone has to give everything,” said Iraola. “The ones who play, the ones who don’t play, us from the bench, the supporters from their place – because at the end, the reward for everyone is huge.”

Keane’s Marcus memories

Preston striker Will Keane is relishing the prospect of getting to grips with former Manchester United team-mate Marcus Rashford when Preston take on Aston Villa in today’s FA Cup quarter-final.

Keane was among the scorers in Preston’s 3-0 victory over Burnley that carried them to a first appearance in the last eight since the 1960s, while Rashford has been rejuvenated since joining Villa on loan in February.

An injury to former academy graduate Keane partly contributed to Rashford making his senior United debut as an 18-year-old back in 2016, and their paths have diverged ever since.

“I’ve not seen Marcus for a couple of years,” said Keane. “I think, especially the last couple of months, seeing him back with a smile upon his face has been great. It looks like he’s enjoying football.”

The Cyriel deal

Cyriel Dessers delivered a performance to remember as Rangers battled back from two goals down to claim a thrilling 4-3 win over Dundee at Dens Park.

Dessers had a remarkable 12 shots on target during the action-packed match, and eventually found the net in stoppage time to clinch victory for interim boss Barry Ferguson’s side.

Ferguson was less than enamoured with his side’s display but said of Dessers: “You have to give the goalkeeper credit, he made some really good saves.

“But one thing about the big man, he has been a joy to work with, and he is a brilliant worker. Brilliant listener. He wants to improve even at his age.”

What’s on today

The FA Cup semi-final line-up will be confirmed by just after tea-time, as Preston take on Aston Villa then Bournemouth take on Manchester City, with all four sides looking to join Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest in the last four,.

Both Chelsea and Arsenal will have to put their Women’s Champions League heroics to the back of their minds as they get back to Super League action later today.

Leaders Chelsea, who overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit to beat Manchester City, face West Ham, while the Gunners, who did the same to sink Real Madrid, make the short trip to Crystal Palace.

Published: 30/03/2025 by Radio NewsHub