FA Cup quarter-finals: Four things we learned | OneFootball

The 2024/25 FA Cup semi-final fixtures are set following an entertaining round of fixtures in the last eight.

Manchester City completed an impressive turnaround to win 2-1 at Bournemouth, while Crystal Palace trounced Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage.

Preston North End were resoundingly beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa, while Nottingham Forest knocked out Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties.

The semi-finals will take place at Wembley Stadium on the final weekend of April, with Palace facing Villa and Forest going up against Man City.

Here are four things we learned from the quarter-final ties:

Eze brilliance leads Crystal Palace to victory

Fulham dominated possession and had twice the number of shots, but Palace were absolutely clinical with what they had.

Eberechi Eze broke the deadlock on 34 minutes with a scintillating curling effort. He then turned provider with a cross that teed up Ismaila Sarr for a headed finish four minutes later.

The result was put beyond doubt with 15 minutes to go. Daichi Kamada set up Eddie Nketiah, with the striker beating the offside trap before finishing through Bernd Leno’s legs.

Mats Sels produces penalty shoot-out heroics again

Nottingham Forest won their third penalty shootout in the FA Cup this season to make it to the semi-finals for the first time since 1991.

Their game at Brighton ended goalless after 120 minutes but was by no means eventless. Both teams had chances to score, but the two goalkeepers held firm.

Sels saved spot-kicks from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez before Ryan Yates’ effort squirmed through Bart Verbruggen to get Forest over the line.

Rashford on target as Villa ease past Preston

Preston North End made Aston Villa work hard at Deepdale, but a fine second-half performance helped the visitors run out 3-0 winners.

Marcus Rashford scored his first goal for the club with a composed finish on the hour mark. He added a second from the penalty spot before Jacob Ramsey bagged the third.

Villa, who are looking to lift the FA Cup for the first time since 1957, face Palace in the semi-finals.

O’Reilly makes the difference off the bench for Man City

Man City’s below-average season could still yield some silverware after they produced a second-half turnaround to beat Bournemouth 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium.

Evanilson bundled the ball over the line to give Bournemouth the lead, but Pep Guardiola’s decision to bring on Nico O’Reilly at the break turned the tie on its head.

The 20-year-old had a hand in both goals as City secured a semi-final berth for the seventh consecutive season.