Alan Shearer rubbishes 'moaning' Aston Villa after 'exceptional' Crystal Palace goal

Crystal Palace took the lead against Aston Villa in great style during the first half of the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It was poised to be a tasty meeting between the two Premier League sides and the opening stages of the game have certainly followed through on that promise with end-to-end action. The Eagles were particularly dangerous through talisman Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The striker bounded at the Aston Villa defence in the 17th minute and was brought down by Boubacar Kamara, who was shown a booking. Mateta set the pace for Oliver Glasner’s side and had the ball in the back of the net after 29 minutes, but was harshly judged to have fouled Ezri Konsa in the build-up.

Eberechi Eze scores against Aston Villa in FA Cup semi-final

That moment proved a livewire for the Eagles with the side moving up through the gears. Moments later, Ismalia Sarr sprinted at the Villa defence and stole the ball in the final third before cutting the ball back across the box and into Eze, who had held his run brilliantly.

The finish that followed was sublime, a scorcher struck from the edge of the box and into the roof of the net, giving the well-respected Emi Martinez no chance. Speaking on commentary for the BBC, Alan Shearer said: “You’re thinking, can Sarr find that final ball? He certainly did that, into Eze. What a strike that is, 22 or 23 yards out and into the roof of the net, what a finish.

“The Aston Villa players are moaning to the referee, they felt there was a handball in there with the closing down from Sarr, but I think it’s in a natural position his arm. He’s about half a yard from him and can’t do anything with it. That finish is exceptional.”

It was a moment of jubilation for the supporters who had travelled from Selhurst Park and across London to support their side. BBC Sport chief football writer at Wembley Stadium, Phil McNutly said: “Deafening noise from Crystal Palace's fans and no wonder. Eberechi Eze's strike was very special. Eze has got a real "X Factor" as he proved with his goal in the quarter-final at Fulham and there it was again. Those Palace supporters are bouncing - literally.”

Crystal Palace star is ‘amazing finisher’

It’s proving quite the FA Cup campaign for Eze, who scored in the third round against Stockport County and then scored and assisted against Fulham in the quarter finals. Speaking after that match at Craven Cottage, Glasner said: “I think Ebere has had a strange season, he hasn’t had many goals in the Premier League and he has been unlucky, but he keeps going, he’s also struggled with strange injuries.

“The goal against Latvia and his first for England means a lot for him. He always has the confidence, we know he’s an amazing finisher to cut inside on his right foot with an amazing finish. “We need this quality, he helped us today massively.”

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