Olizzi and Mateta ensure Crystal Palace avoids FA Cup exit after panic at Millwall | FA cup

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Between halftime, Millwall supporters must have been convinced this would be their day. The South London derby was topped by the howl of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland, a famous upset in the FA Cup.

Unfortunately for them, Michael Ulysses had different ideas. The sparkling 13-minute period early in the second half when he equalized, hit the post and then tipped up Jean-Philippe Mateta for the winning goal, was further proof of the 20-year-old’s talent.

“He was fantastic in the second half,” Palace coach Patrick Vieira said. “He changed the game for us but it was like watching different players in the first and second half. We know how great he was so it’s about trying to help him reach that level of consistency.”

Aside from reaching the quarter-finals in 2019, Palace’s record in this competition has been poor since it came within nine minutes of beating Manchester United in the 2016 final, having been eliminated in the third round in the past two seasons. With that in mind, Vieira made good on his promise to pick a strong squad that includes Conor Gallagher, returning from injury.

Since Palace’s last trip here nearly nine years ago, Millwall has tackled the top half of the championship table, but hasn’t quite made it into the playoffs despite a few close ties. Their chances of reaching the top flight for the first time since 1990 have not helped a string of last three defeats in their past five games and this was a welcome opportunity to make a statement against their more famous neighbours.

While neither club has described the other as archenemies, there is certainly no love lost between the teams that are six miles apart and there was an intense atmosphere at kickoff.

The palace fans lit torches and there was widespread booing from all the home support departments of the players who had injured the knee. Anti-gay chants were directed at Gallagher and likely to be penalized as Olise hit a bottle as he prepared to take a corner in the second half.

Jean-Philippe Mateta scores the Crystal Palace goal, from a cross from Michael Ulis (first left in the background). Photograph: Tony O’Brien/Reuters

Millwall boss Gary Royt this week recalled how he was at the end of some knockouts against Arsenal Vieira during his derby days, but his team clearly had a game plan from the start here and they got out of the traps.

Millwall should have taken the lead in the eighth minute when Bennik Afobe hit the ball home from close range, but the former Arsenal striker will get another chance soon after. Exactly what Batland had in mind when he decided to take an extra touch under pressure from Tom Bradshaw only the goalkeeper would know and Afobe was a grateful receiver for the poor clearance.

If George Savile had taken advantage of a later opportunity within the area, it could have been much worse for the visitors.

While Iberici Eise – who had his first start since returning from a long absence through injury – started to grow in the match against his former side after a lackluster start to Palace, it was Vieira who headed into the tunnel and was frustrated after Savile’s timely challenge to the midfielder. Pallas. Inside the area he went unpunished.

Obviously, everything he said during the break had the desired effect. Barely 40 seconds into the second half went by when Gallagher hit the Ulys’ goal off the right and fired a superb shot across the far post.

The 20-year-old was inches from doubling his tally and put Palace ahead six minutes later with a carbon copy, only to have the ball bounce off the post and off to safety this time.

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Savile’s impressive loss to injury left Millwall struggling to survive and Ulysses came close again.

They couldn’t do anything to prevent him from converting a service provider Mateta as he chose a perfect cross inch the undistinguished Frenchman to complete the transformation. Mateta celebrated in front of the home crowd, throwing plastic bottles. Palace fans also set off several flares, causing a delay in restarting.

“We conceded two bad goals from our point of view,” Roet said disappointedly.

He abandoned his three-man defense and threw in Mason Bennett in an effort to find a way to return to a tie.

Substitute Matt Smith’s header in overtime was their big chance, but this time Butland was strong.

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