Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring opening goal against Fulham in their 3-0 FA Cup win
Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring opening goal against Fulham in their 3-0 FA Cup win
You may have missed it amid the trophy parade celebrations on Saturday, but domestic football finally returned after the March international break. Newcastle United have to wait until Wednesday to take to the field for the first time since that now legendary performance at Wembley, but there were Premier League sides in action in the FA Cup.
United's hope of more silverware were dashed by Brighton in the fifth round, but the famous old competition could yet play a part in their bid to qualify for the Champions League. Eddie Howe's squad are focused on the final 10 games of the Premier League season, knowing a place in the top five come the end of May will return them to Europe's elite competition.
The race will be a tight one, with just eight points separating Chelsea in fourth and Brentford in 11th. Any slip-ups will be punished, but consistency will be rewarded with a a quick rise up the table.
United have one advantage over their rivals in that they have a game in hand. The game against Crystal Palace, due to take place on the weekend of the Carabao Cup final, will now be played on Wednesday, April 16 (7.30pm kick-off), at St James' Park. Provided Newcastle keep pace with Chelsea and Manchester City before that match, a win would see United leapfrog their rivals and move into fourth.
But one factor that could play in Newcastle's hands is the fact Palace will be preparing for an FA Cup semi-final the week after they make the long midweek journey to Tyneside. Oliver Glasner's men romped to an impressive 3-0 quarter-final victory over Fulham on Saturday to book their place in the final four.
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The semi-finals will be played on Saturday, April 26 or Sunday, Apriil 27, just days after they face Newcastle. Howe and Co know all about the distractions a Wembley date can bring, and will be secretly hoping the Eagles have one eye on Wembley when they travel to the North East. Currently in 12th place, Palace are unlikely to be able to challenge for the European spots, and are safe from any relegation battle, so the FA Cup represents their big chance of success this season.
Third-place Nottingham Forest are also in the sem-finals after beating Brighton penalties, whiile one of Manchester City or Bournemouth will also make it through as the two clubs face each other today. Aston Villa will also be confident of booking their place in the last four when they take on Preston at Deepdale this afternoon.