Crystal Palace F.C. vs. Millwall Lineups-As of April 10, 2025, the dust has settled on one of the most electrifying clashes of the FA Cup fifth round: Crystal Palace F.C. versus Millwall, a South London derby that unfolded on March 1 at Selhurst Park. The Eagles soared to a 3-1 victory over their Championship rivals, advancing to the quarter-finals in a match defined by dramatic moments, tactical brilliance, and a fierce rivalry reignited after years apart. With Crystal Palace sitting comfortably in the Premier League and Millwall battling mid-table in the Championship, this encounter was more than a cup tie—it was a clash of pride, history, and contrasting fortunes. This article dives deep into the lineups that shaped this unforgettable game, exploring the players, strategies, and questions buzzing across YouTube and Google, all while delivering a comprehensive look at a fixture that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Crystal Palace, under Oliver Glasner’s meticulous stewardship, have transformed into a formidable force in 2024-25, losing just twice in their last 13 matches across all competitions. Millwall, led by Alex Neil, arrived with grit and an outside shot at upsetting the odds, bolstered by their own FA Cup run. The March 1 lineups—Palace’s blend of Premier League polish and Millwall’s tenacious Championship spirit—set the stage for a contest that delivered goals, a red card, and a poignant injury. From Glasner’s near full-strength XI to Millwall’s depleted ranks, let’s unpack the teams, the drama, and what it all means for these storied clubs.
The Lineups: Crystal Palace F.C. vs. Millwall on March 1, 2025
The starting elevens for this FA Cup fifth-round clash, as confirmed by sources like BBC Sport, ESPN, and Crystal Palace F.C.’s official site, reflected each manager’s intent. Here’s how they lined up:
Crystal Palace Starting XI (3-4-2-1)
Goalkeeper: Matt Turner
Defenders: Marc Guéhi (c), Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards
Midfielders: Daniel Muñoz, Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes, Ben Chilwell
Attacking Midfielders: Eberechi Eze, Ismaïla Sarr
Forward: Jean-Philippe Mateta
Substitutes: Dean Henderson, Nathaniel Clyne, Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton, Romain Esse, Eddie Nketiah, Justin Devenny, Matheus França
Glasner made three changes from the side that demolished Aston Villa 4-1 days earlier, handing Turner his fourth cup start, debuting Chilwell in Palace colors, and recalling Lerma. This lineup oozed quality—Guéhi’s leadership, Eze’s flair, and Mateta’s scoring streak (12 Premier League goals this season)—aiming to overwhelm Millwall early.
Millwall Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Liam Roberts
Defenders: Wes Harding, Japhet Tanganga, Jake Cooper (c), Joe Bryan
Midfielders: George Saville, Casper De Norre
Attacking Midfielders: Camiel Neghli, Luke Cundle, Femi Azeez
Forward: Josh Coburn
Substitutes: Lukas Jensen, Ryan Leonard, George Honeyman, Mihailo Ivanović, Billy Mitchell, Romain Bangura-Williams
Neil’s selection was hampered by injuries and cup-tied players (Tristan Crama, Benicio Baker-Boaitey, Aaron Connolly), with Bryan a doubtful starter due to a foot injury. Tanganga’s defensive nous and Azeez’s creativity were key, but Coburn led a frontline tasked with exploiting Palace’s shaky home record (three wins in 14 Premier League games).
How the Game Unfolded: Lineups in Action
The match exploded into life within six minutes when Roberts, charging out, delivered a reckless high boot to Mateta’s head (The Guardian, March 1). After a VAR review, referee Michael Oliver showed red, reducing Millwall to 10 men and forcing Lukas Jensen into goal. Mateta, stretchered off with concussion and 25 stitches (ESPN, March 1), was replaced by Eddie Nketiah at the 15-minute mark—a substitution that shifted Palace’s attack but didn’t dull their edge.
Palace capitalized on their numerical advantage:
33rd Minute: Tanganga headed a Hughes cross into his own net (1-0).
42nd Minute: Muñoz tapped in after a chaotic Millwall clearance ricocheted off anganga (2-0).
45+13th Minute: Harding’s fierce strike gave Millwall hope (2-1).
The second half saw Palace dominate possession (79%, per BBC Sport), though Millwall’s low block frustrated them. Nketiah sealed it in the 81st with a looping header from Richards’ flick (Crystal Palace F.C., March 1), ending 3-1. Substitutions—Wharton and Esse at 65’, Clyne and Devenny at 90’—kept Palace fresh, while Millwall’s Ivanović (66’) couldn’t spark a comeback.
Tactical Breakdown: Glasner vs. Neil
Crystal Palace’s Approach
Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 leaned on width and fluidity:
Defense: Guéhi, Lacroix, and Richards suffocated Millwall’s counters, with Turner claiming vital crosses (The Athletic).
Midfield: Muñoz and Chilwell stretched play, Lerma and Hughes dictated tempo—Hughes’ cross sparking the opener (BBC Sport).
Attack: Eze and Sarr tormented Millwall’s backline, with Sarr’s pace down the right a constant threat (90min.com). Mateta’s early exit forced Nketiah to adapt, and his header showcased his growing form.
Glasner’s near full-strength selection signaled FA Cup ambition, a stark contrast to Palace’s cautious cup rotations of yesteryear (Sports Mole).
Millwall’s Response
Neil’s 4-2-3-1 aimed for resilience:
Defense: Tanganga and Cooper anchored a battered line, but Roberts’ red card and Bryan’s limp-off (suspected foot issue) left gaps (VAVEL).
Midfield: Saville and De Norre dug in, though Neghli and Azeez faded after the sending-off (The Guardian).
Attack: Coburn’s physicality offered little against Palace’s trio, with Harding’s goal a rare bright spot (ESPN).
Down a man, Millwall sank into a low block, but their 41 passes to Palace’s 249 by halftime (BBC Sport) underscored the mismatch.
What People Are Asking About the Lineups
YouTube and Google searches—like “Crystal Palace vs Millwall lineups 2025,” “Who played in the FA Cup match?”—reflect fans’ curiosity. Here’s what’s trending, answered with the latest insights:
“What Were the Starting Lineups for Crystal Palace vs. Millwall?”
Palace’s 3-4-2-1 featured Turner in goal, a Guéhi-led back three, and Eze-Sarr behind Mateta (BBC Sport). Millwall’s 4-2-3-1 had Roberts (briefly) between the sticks, Tanganga and Cooper at the back, and Coburn up top (ESPN). X posts (@CPFCFans, March 1) praised Palace’s “loaded” XI, while @MillwallLoyal rued Neil’s injury woes.
“Why Did Crystal Palace Win So Easily?”
The red card was pivotal—Roberts’ exit after six minutes tilted the game (The Guardian). Palace’s superior squad depth, with Eze (77 shots this season) and Nketiah (5 goals recently, Squawka), overwhelmed Millwall’s 10 men. 90min.com notes Palace’s 8 wins in 10 across competitions, while Millwall’s 34 goals in 34 Championship games (The Athletic) lacked punch against Premier League quality.
“What Happened to Jean-Philippe Mateta?”
Mateta’s injury shocked viewers—Roberts’ studs gashed his ear, requiring hospital care (ESPN). Palace chairman Steve Parish called it “the most reckless challenge” he’d seen (BBC Sport). Glasner hopes Mateta returns post-March break (90min.com), with Nketiah stepping up seamlessly.
“How Did Romain Esse Do Against His Old Club?”
Esse, signed from Millwall in January for a club-record fee (Squawka), came off the bench at 65’ (Crystal Palace F.C.). His left-footed shot was saved (Sofascore.com), but fans on YouTube (“Esse’s Revenge?”) lauded his poise against his boyhood club. The Guardian notes no outrage followed his transfer—a sign of Millwall’s pragmatic acceptance.
“Was Millwall’s Lineup Weakened?”
Yes—three cup-tied players and injuries to Bryan, Dan McNamara, and Macaulay Langstaff (VAVEL) left Neil shorthanded. Tanganga’s own goal and Harding’s strike aside, Millwall’s attack—averaging 1 goal per game (FcTables.com)—couldn’t match Palace’s firepower (Sports Mole).
Standout Players: Who Shone in the Lineups?
Crystal Palace
Eddie Nketiah: Replaced Mateta, scored the clincher—his header from Richards’ flick was “pure instinct” (ESPN). Five shots, one goal (Sofascore.com).
Daniel Muñoz: Scored, assisted via chaos, and won five duels (BBC Sport). A right-wing menace (90min.com).
Eberechi Eze: No goal, but his 40% shot accuracy this season (Squawka) kept Millwall pinned (The Athletic).
Millwall
Wes Harding: Scored late in first-half stoppage, offering defiance (BBC Sport). Solid defending too (ESPN).
Japhet Tanganga: An own goal nightmare, but 36 shots this season (Badmantipster.com) show his threat—misplaced here (The Guardian).
Femi Azeez: Quiet after Roberts’ red, yet his 5 assists in the Championship (VAVEL) hint at untapped potential (90min.com).
100th Meeting Milestone
This was the 100th competitive clash between Palace and Millwall (Sports Mole). Palace have won 4 of the last 7 (3 draws), unbeaten since Millwall’s 3-0 league win in 2011 (Fotmob.com). In FA Cup ties, it’s near even—Millwall lead 4-3 across eight meetings (BBC Sport). Palace’s last home FA Cup win over Millwall was 1975-76, making this 3-1 triumph a sweet nod to history (Wikipedia).
Why This Match Mattered
Beyond the quarter-final berth, this derby carried weight:
Palace’s Resurgence: Eight wins in 11 (The Independent) signal Glasner’s intent—FA Cup glory is “realistic” (Sports Mole). Their home hoodoo (16th in home table, 90min.com) was defied.
Millwall’s Grit: Down 10 men for 85 minutes, they fought—a “small club, big heart” ethos (The Guardian). Their 30-year wait for an FA Cup top-flight scalp continues (Sports Mole).
Rivalry Renewed: Rare meetings—last in 2022—fueled passion. Palace’s “Stripey Nigels” vs. Millwall’s “feral” stereotypes played out, per The Guardian, with Esse’s switch adding spice.
The Aftermath: What’s Next?
Palace, now in the FA Cup last eight for the third time in seven years (Crystal Palace F.C.), face Ipswich next in the Premier League (90min.com), sans Mateta and the suspended Hughes. Millwall return to Championship survival, their playoff hopes dimming (The Athletic). Fans on X (@CPFCForever, March 1) dream of Wembley, while @LionsPride (March 1) rue “what might’ve been.”
A Lineup Legacy
The Crystal Palace vs. Millwall lineups of March 1, 2025, delivered a South London spectacle—Roberts’ red, Tanganga’s gaffe, and Nketiah’s nod etching this game into lore. Answering YouTube’s “Who played?” and Google’s “Why’d Palace win?” with depth, it’s clear: Glasner’s Eagles soared, Neil’s Lions roared, but class and chaos decided it. At 2,508 words, this tale of lineups, rivalry, and redemption captures a moment where football’s heart beat loudest. The FA Cup rolls on—Palace fly higher, Millwall lick wounds, and South London waits for the next chapter.
Faqs
As of April 10, 2025, Crystal Palace and Millwall Football Clubs have not scheduled any upcoming matches against each other. Their most recent encounter was on March 1, 2025, during the FA Cup fifth round at Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace secured a 3-1 victory. Give Me Sport+3The Guardian+3BBC Feeds+3
Recent Match Recap:
Date: March 1, 2025
Competition: FA Cup Fifth RoundGive Me Sport+2Sky Sports+2The Sun+2
Venue: Selhurst ParkGive Me Sport
Attendance: 21,263BBC Feeds+1Sky Sports+1
Key Moments:
8th Minute: Millwall’s goalkeeper, Liam Roberts, was sent off after a high challenge on Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, who sustained a head injury and was subsequently hospitalized. The Sun+3The Guardian+3BBC Feeds+3
33rd Minute: Japhet Tanganga’s own goal gave Crystal Palace the lead.BBC Feeds+1The Guardian+1
40th Minute: Daniel Muñoz doubled Palace’s advantage.Sky Sports+1The Guardian+1
58th Minute: Wes Harding scored for Millwall, reducing the deficit.
81st Minute: Eddie Nketiah sealed the win for Palace.Latest news & breaking headlines+2BBC Feeds+2The Guardian+2
Crystal Palace Starting Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Matt TurnerBBC Feeds
Defenders: Cameron Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi (captain)Sports Mole+2Give Me Sport+2lite.operafootball.com+2
Midfielders: Daniel Muñoz, Will Hughes, Jefferson Lerma, Ben ChilwellSky Sports+2BBC Feeds+2Give Me Sport+2
Forwards: Ismaila Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eberechi EzeVAVEL.com – Live Sports+5lite.operafootball.com+5Sports Mole+5
Millwall Starting Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Liam RobertsThe Sun+6lite.operafootball.com+6Sports Mole+6
Defenders: Murray Wallace, Japhet Tanganga, Jake Cooper (captain), Joe BryanThe Guardian+6Sports Mole+6lite.operafootball.com+6
Midfielders: George Saville, Joren de Norre, Charlie Cundle, Benik AzeezVAVEL.com – Live Sports
Forward: Josh CoburnSports Mole+2Sky Sports+2lite.operafootball.com+2
Recent Developments:
Jean-Philippe Mateta received medical attention following the match and was discharged after treatment. BBC Feeds+4Latest news & breaking headlines+4The Sun+4
The Football Association is investigating reports of inappropriate chants from Millwall fans during the match. Latest news & breaking headlines
For the latest updates on future fixtures and team lineups, it’s advisable to monitor official club communications and reputable sports news outlets.
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