STOKE CITY OUT OF FA CUP
Posted on March 11, 2022 in Stoke
English Championship side Stoke City have been eliminated from the FA Cup this season after their defeat at the hands of London side Crsytal Palace. Stoke City and Crystal Palace had earlier been drawn together in the fifth round of the FA Cup for a place in the quarterfinals.
Michael O’Neill and his Stoke City players travelled to Selhurst Park to take on hosts Crystal Palace on Tuesday with the hope of causing an upset against the Premier League team. In the end, Stoke City were beaten 2-1 by their hosts who secured a place in the quarterfinals in the process.
After a goalless affair at the end of the first 45 minutes, Senegalese star CheikhouKouyate gave Crystal Palace the lead eight minutes into the second half. Kouyate is in the best spell of his career after helping Senegal win their first African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title at the last edition of the tournament in Cameroon earlier this year. The Palace lead lasted for just five minutes before Josh Tymonequalised for the Potters. Crystal Palace then scored the winning goal eight minutes from time through Dutchman Jairo Riedewaldto secure their place in the quarterfinals.
Crystal Palace are not the only London team in the FA Cup quarterfinals after Chelsea also booked their place with the 3-2 comeback away win over English Championship team Luton Town. The hosts led twice in the first half through Reece Burke and Harry Cornick either side of the goal from Atletico Madrid loanee Saul Niguez. Spanish international midfielder Saul Niguez is on a season-long loan deal at West London giants Chelsea from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. Chelsea went on to score twice in the second half through Timo Werner and RomeluLukaku to win the game.
Apart from Chelsea and Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough, Manchester City, Southampton and Liverpool have also qualified for the quarterfinals.