SOCCER
Nketiah Sends Crystal Palace Into Carabao Cup Last Eight
Nketiah’s 37th-minute finish and Dean Henderson’s saves gave Palace a 1–0 win at Craven Cottage and a quarterfinal against Sunderland.
Eddie Nketiah scored the only goal as Crystal Palace defeated Fulham 1–0 at Craven Cottage on Wednesday to reach the Carabao Cup quarterfinals.
The striker finished Óscar Mingueza’s cross in the 37th minute, giving Palace a lead they protected through sustained Fulham pressure. Dean Henderson’s return in goal was central to the clean sheet.
Team changes and first-half chances
Palace’s official match report records 10 changes from the side that faced Newcastle at the weekend. Fulham made six, with both managers adjusting their teams during a crowded schedule.
Fulham created early chances without finding the opener. Kenny Tete missed with a header, Antonee Robinson was denied by Henderson and Joachim Andersen headed wide as the home side pressed.
Palace’s goal changed the direction of the tie. Mingueza won possession from Alex Iwobi, advanced down the right and delivered toward the near post, where Nketiah reached the ball ahead of Andersen and steered it beyond Benjamin Lecomte.
Henderson continued to protect the advantage after halftime. Iwobi’s close-range effort from a corner brought an important save, while Gonzalo García’s late header also failed to beat the Palace captain.
Palace hold on and look to Sunderland
The visitors had opportunities to increase their lead. Dwight McNeil tested Lecomte, and Daichi Kamada could not convert a late chance that would have removed some of the uncertainty from the closing stages.
For manager Pierre Sage, progression came through the combination of one decisive attacking move and repeated defensive interventions. Fulham’s territorial pressure did not become the equalizer needed to extend the contest.
Palace have now reached this competition’s quarterfinals in three consecutive seasons, a first for the club. The win also extended their sequence of victories at Craven Cottage to five.
They will host Sunderland in the last eight during the week beginning December 14. Fulham leave the competition after a match in which their chances and possession could not overturn Nketiah’s first-half finish.
