Crystal Palace 1-1 Millwall (4-2 pens): Heartbreak for Lions after Carabao Cup defeat on penalties

A decided Millwall clawed an equaliser again in added time towards bitter rivals Crystal Palace, nevertheless it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient to safe a spot within the subsequent spherical of the Carabao Cup as Alex Neil’s facet succumbed to Palace on penalties.

Chris Richards’ effort had put Palace on the right track for victory, earlier than Ryan Leonard rose to move residence in stoppage time from a nook for Millwall to make it 1-1 and pressure the tie to a shoot-out.

That gave the guests an opportunity at ending a winless run towards Palace which stretches again to 1986, however the Eagles’ goalkeeper Walter Benitez despatched the Premier League facet by way of to the fourth spherical of the Carabao Cup with two sensible saves.

Palace progress on pens after late scare

The sport began with Palace in full management. Yeremy Pino, Palace’s summer time signing from Villarreal, dictated the play from the left-hand facet and troubled the Millwall defence all through the primary half. The winger’s deflected shot discovered the top of Daniel Munoz, who noticed his close-range effort saved by Steven Benda early on.

The guests, although, began to develop into the sport. Josh Coburn and Camiel Neghli got here near scoring on both facet of half-time, however each squandered golden alternatives to present Millwall the lead.

The breakthrough ultimately got here when Richards fired residence the opener from a Palace nook shortly after. The competition seemed completed with the wind fully taken out of Millwall’s sails.

However, the guests – out of nowhere – have been lastly, and deservedly, rewarded for his or her efforts in added time when Leonard powerfully headed residence from a nook.

Jean-Philippe Mateta ought to have then gained it for Palace deep into stoppage time, however managed to slice his effort large from point-blank vary, because the tie went to penalties.

The total-time whistle was greeted with roars from a packed away finish – however Palace remained composed and have been excellent as they transformed all 4 of their efforts from the spot.

Millwall, although, failed to carry their nerve. Captain Tristan Crama and Aidomo Emakhu had their penalties saved, as new signing Benitez endeared himself to Palace followers and ensured bragging rights remained at Selhurst Park.

Glasner: Esse did not take his probability

Crystal Palace supervisor Oliver Glasner:

On Romain Esse’s efficiency: “I don’t want to talk about a single player, but if you sub someone at half-time you are not pleased with his performance.

“It is easy, soccer isn’t so tough. While you get an opportunity, it’s a must to carry out and present you’ll be able to assist the staff win the sport.

“If I have a feeling a player can help the team win a game, he gets many minutes. If I get the feeling a player doesn’t help a team win the game, he doesn’t get many minutes.

“He is a pleasant man, I like him as an individual. However I am not being paid to be a pleasant individual, I am being paid to win video games. It is as much as the participant to enhance.

“We lost so many balls and we lost so many duels. We were too long on the ball and we took a few wrong decisions. We missed a few chances. And so the game was how it was.”

Neil: Irritating to not undergo

Millwall supervisor Alex Neil:

“I was proud with the performance in general. We were very good and after a passive start we grew more and more in confidence.

“We made eight modifications and misplaced a goalkeeper within the warm-up (Max Crocombe) and misplaced Dan Kelly 20 minutes into the sport, so to place that stage of efficiency in was terrific.

“The frustrating thing for us is that we didn’t manage to go through. It was a really strong Palace team and on the balance of the game I was really pleased.

“We maintain going, we do not give in and we deserved the objective to take it to penalties.”