Four things we learned from the FA Cup quarter-finals | OneFootball

Four things we learned from the FA Cup quarter-finals as Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City booked spots at Wembley.

Eze enjoys the perfect week

Big Dan Burn might have celebrated the season’s finest individual week earlier this month, as the Newcastle centre-back celebrated a Carabao Cup-winning goal and England debut.

Eberechi Eze’s last few days are not far behind. Fresh from scoring his first international goal against Latvia, Eze was the architect of Palace’s 3-0 win at Fulham this weekend. The midfielder’s magic opener set the Eagles on route to a huge win at Craven Cottage before the 26-year-old lifted a delicate cross into Ismaila Sarr to head home the second.

He was the best player on the pitch as Palace set up a Wembley date with Aston Villa next month. Eze undoubtedly has the talent to play for a trophy-winning team and Palace, famously, have never been that. His standout showing at Fulham has ensured there’s a chance Crystal Palace’s drought ends in 2025.

Forest hold their nerve (again) to keep dream season alive

Are Nottingham Forest fortunate? Or do Nuno’s nerveless side deserve their flowers? For the third time in the FA Cup this season, Forest progressed into the next round on penalties. Exeter City, Ipswich Town and now Brighton have all been beaten in a decider often called a lottery. There was no luck about four of Forest’s five takers, who confidently converted their kicks, sparing Neco Williams’ blushes after the full-back blzed his effort wildly over the bar.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been the surprise package of the season and will now celebrate a momentous day at Wembley – in addition to their pursuit of Champions League qualification. Forest have not played in the semi-finals of the FA Cup since 1991, while their last success in this competition came 66 years ago.

A place in the Champions League and a major trophy in the same season? It could be dreamland for Forest, whose fanbase will not want to wake up.

Will rejuvenated Rashford remain in the Midlands?

Marcus Rashford looks right at home at Aston Villa. After a miserable end to his time at Manchester United, the forward has thrived on loan at Villa Park. He was the difference as Villa booked their place in the semi-finals with a 3-0 win at Preston North End.

Rashford’s first goals for Villa were the highlight of an impressive all-round performance and extended his record to two goals and four assists since his January arrival. It’s an average of a goal contribution every 90 minutes with Rashford’s revitalisation on show at Deepdale.

The move to Villa came as a surprise in January, amid an expectation that Rashford would move abroad. Though a £40m purchase option was included, Rashford was coy on the prospect of a permanent move when arriving through the door. Given how he has performed so far, he ought to give serious thought to committing to Unai Emery’s project.

O’Reilly takes cup chance this season

Manchester City are a side in need of rebuild, with the Citizens enduring a difficult campaign in the Premier League and Europe. The FA Cup might just offer a silver lining after Pep Guardiola’s side progressed to a seventh straight semi-final with a 2-1 win at Bournemouth.

Nico O’Reilly was the unlikely hero of the comeback win, as the 20-year-old came off the bench at half-time to set up both goals. Perhaps, however, we should not have been surprised. O’Reilly had scored three goals in three previous appearances in this season’s FA Cup, before adding two assists at Bournemouth.

A flexible midfielder who has featured at full-back and in central defence for the senior side, O’Reilly is a player who will be aiming to form part of the club’s regeneration.

City snubbed interest in O’Reilly from Chelsea in January and could have avoided a repeat of the Cole Palmer situation. He’s made the most of limited opportunity this season and Guardiola will have taken note.

Read – Man City comeback books seventh straight FA Cup semi-final

See more – FA Cup semi-final draw – Crystal Palace face Aston Villa

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