Football writer Alex Keble analyses Saturday's first match of FA Cup quarter-final ties.
Eze’s brilliance really could take Palace all the way
For half an hour he didn't do a lot, drifting on the periphery of the match and crowded out by a Fulham midfield beginning to take control of the first FA Cup quarter-final of the weekend.
Then he burst into life.
One five-minute blitz later, Eberechi Eze had taken the tie away from the hosts – and taken Crystal Palace to their second FA Cup semi-final in four years.
Eze’s goal - a brilliant curled effort from outside the box - broke open a cagey match at Craven Cottage. His assist for the second four minutes later was arguably even better, the dribble and cross encapsulating what England head coach Thomas Tuchel has seen in him.
The Palace attacker proved, yet again, that he is a difference-maker; an urgent, aggressive forward with an end product. He now has 10 assists in all competitions this season, his most ever in a Palace shirt.
And of course it caps a brilliant week for Eze personally, following his goal for England against Latvia on Monday.
On that evidence – and after today – supporters will rightly believe they have a star player capable of driving Palace all the way to their first major trophy.
"We're confident in ourselves and we know what we can do, we know what we are capable of,” Eze told ITV after the game. “It's games like today where you show the mentality which will get you further in the tournament."
Fulham’s inability to break Palace down highlights their lack of forward options
Marco Silva may well regret not starting Adama Traore, because without him Fulham lack pace and directness in the forward line.
That is why Palace’s well-drilled 5-4-1 was able sit back, absorb pressure, and watch Fulham pass the ball harmlessly in front of them.
It was a similar approach by Silva to the 2-0 defeat to Palace in the Premier League last month, although in his defence, on that occasion he started Emile Smith Rowe and Traore with neither player affecting the game.
That explains why they were benched today. But it was a decision that didn't work.
Fulham’s lack of movement in the final third was in stark contrast to the energy and off-the-ball movement we saw from Eze, Ismaila Sarr, and Eddie Nketiah, all of whom got on the score sheet.
It’s a weakness that makes Fulham arguably the least likely of the top-half teams to qualify for Europe this season.
See: Fulham report | Crystal Palace report
When is the semi-final draw and which Premier League fixtures are now postponed?
The draw will take place on Sunday 30 March following the conclusion of the match between Preston North End and Aston Villa, which kicks off at 13:30 BST.
Palace's semi-final will be played at Wembley Stadium on the weekend of 26-27 April, in Matchweek 34 of the Premier League.
This will mean their league match away to Arsenal, previously scheduled for Saturday 26 April, will have to be moved to a new date.
Which other Premier League clubs are in quarter-final action?
Saturday 29 March
17:15 Brighton v Nottingham Forest
Sunday 30 March
13:30 Preston North End v Aston Villa
16:30 AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City