FA Cup: Liverpool Exorcise Selhurst Park Demons
Liverpool have advanced to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup after winning in front of a raucous crowd at Selhurst Park by a 2-1 margin. It turns out the third time is a charm as the Reds had lost their previous two encounters at the South London house of horrors.
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Crystal Palace were the ones who opened the scoring early in the 16th minute. A Dwight Gayle header was stopped by Simon Mignolet, but the ball found the feet of Frazier Campbell who made no mistake with it by burying it in the Liverpool net. While it seemed like Liverpool were on their way to another disappointing defeat in South London, the goal seemed to wake Brendan Rodgers’ side up as they dominated much of the play. Unfortunately for Reds fans, they didn’t find the back of the net and headed into the half down 1-0.
Rodgers made a halftime switch by introducing Mario Balotelli for Lazar Markovic in hopes that the fiery Italian would provide the spark he did midweek against Tottenham.
It only took five minutes for that spark to ignite the team and it did in the form of Daniel Sturridge.
Jordan Henderson delivered a perfect lob that the English striker met on the run and drove past a helpless Julian Speroni. Sturridge then proceeded to do his trademark dance with Alberto Moreno, who had mocked Sturridge’s dance just yesterday in training. Moreno had jokingly promised to do the dance next time Sturridge scored, and proceeded to stand by his word.
Just eight minutes after the Sturridge goal, Liverpool were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Balotelli stepped up and ripped a hard shot that Speroni was able to stop. Unfortunately for the Eagles, it deflected right to an onrushing Adam Lallana, who gave Liverpool a crucial 2-1 lead.
Rodgers, remembering what happened last season when Liverpool faltered late at Selhurst Park, brought on a fourth defender in Dejan Lovren for play making Philippe Coutinho in the 79th minute. The substitution paid off as Crystal Palace were not able to thwart any opportunities toward the Liverpool goal.
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Aside from the early stages of the match, Alan Pardew can’t be too pleased with his club’s performance at home. Dwight Gayle looked the most threatening player of the Palace bunch, but it seems like the rest of the squad was not up for the FA Cup tilt.
Crystal Palace will have a week off before taking Arsenal on in a London Derby at Selhurt Park.
Liverpool will await the draw Monday to see who they face in the quarterfinals. They also have a large match looming next weekend at St. Mary’s against Southampton; a match that has enormous bearing on the EPL table.