The Eagles nailed down their spot at Wembley in the semi-final of the FA Cup on Saturday, beating Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage in the last eight.
Fulham started brightly against Oliver Glasner’s side and controlled the opening 25 minutes until 26-year-old Eze produced five minutes of magic that flipped the game on its head, earning Palace a two-goal lead before half time.
The Greenwich-born England international fired Palace ahead in the 34th minute, nestling a right-footed shot from range into the bottom corner.
Sit back, relax and enjoy Ebere Eze 😳#CPFC pic.twitter.com/ajWAxTJ4Oo
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 30, 2025
It took only four minutes for the attacker to shine again, dispossessing Timothy Castagne and playing a one-two with Jefferson Lerma before carrying the ball into the box and delivering a left-footed cross onto Ismaila Sarr’s head, as the winger nodded Palace two to the good.
(Image: PA)
Eze’s week started at Wembley, netting his first international goal and becoming the first Palace player to score for England since 1976 when Peter Taylor found the net against Wales.
Despite his clinical performances this week, Eze has lacked conviction in front of goal throughout the season, scoring only six goals in 31 appearances. His right-footed strike against Latvia was his first goal in over two months.
Just two of his goals have come in the league this season from an xG of 6.66, the biggest xG underperformance in the top flight (-4.66).
However, Eze's club captain and international teammate, Guehi, maintains that he has consistently held his head high and remained confident.
“The one thing I would say about Eze is that he has always got confidence,” Guehi said.
“He doesn't lack it. He doesn’t shy from taking responsibility in games. He showed his class again today and we are going to need him a lot more this season as well as everyone else.
“He is a top player. You don’t play for England if you are not a top player. Hopefully, by the grace of God, it continues.”
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His manager, Glasner, echoed Guehi’s sentiment and explained that Eze’s contributions were essential in sending Palace to Wembley.
“Ebs has had quite a strange season,” said Glasner. He hasn’t had many goals in the Premier League, but he has had many chances.
“He was so unlucky in many situations, having disallowed goals and deflected balls or hitting the post. He was also struggling with strange injuries to his foot.
“The goal against Latvia, his first goal for England, means a lot to him as a person. He always has the confidence.
“We all know he has an amazing finish and that he can cut in on his right foot – it was an amazing finish at the far post.
“We need this quality, especially with finishing. We had more and more belief from his goal. It was so fundamental today. It helped us today.”