MY ACCOUNT
Jairo Riedewald scored a late winner to hand Crystal Palace a 2-1 victory over Championship opponents Stoke and a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Cheikhou Kouyate opened the scoring for Crystal Palace in the 53rd minute, lashing high into the net from close range after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s deflected effort ended up at his feet.
Stoke equalised just five minutes later however as Romaine Sawyers drove to the byline before firing a low ball across the face of goal for Josh Tymon to tuck inside the near post.
With seven minutes of normal time remaining, Stoke goalkeeper Jack Bonham’s punch fell to Riedewald on the edge of the box and the Dutchman lashed in to knock the Potters out.
Palace goalscorer Riedewald admitted he has one eye on a trip to Wembley.
He said: “It was hard work. We knew what we would get, they made it very tough for us. We’re just happy we won the game. At half-time, we said they had some space in between the lines so let’s use that.
“We scored the first goal and they responded very quickly. It started to get scrappy. We’re just lucky we won the game.
“[For my goal,] the keeper knocked it over a defender’s head. I was about to go for the half-volley but changed my mind and got it onto my right foot.
“We’ll enjoy this win tonight. One game away from Wembley, it would be nice.”
More to follow…
Did you know?
Palace pair Kouyate and Riedewald both scored their first goals of the season in tonight’s victory.
Riedewald’s goal has come in just his fifth appearance across all competitions so far this season, having played just 209 minutes before this game.
Stoke have now lost three consecutive games across all competitions by a 2-1 scoreline, also falling to Bournemouth and Luton prior to this tie.
Stoke are now winless in five games in all competitions, losing three and drawing two.
