Eberechi Eze answered the call in Crystal Palace’s biggest game of the season against Fulham… his goal was one fans will cherish for years, writes MATT BARLOW

His first goal for England might have required the help of a huge deflection but his 32nd for Crystal Palace came with all the aesthetic beauty we have come to expect from Eberechi Eze.

Pure and true, curled low beyond Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. In off the far post and not only decorative it also turned the FA Cup quarter final in Palace’s favour.

What a week it has been for Eze, who created the second for Ismaila Sarr in a 3-0 win. One to add a flourish to what has been a disjointed first season without Micheal Olise sharing the creative burden.

Olise left for Bayern Munich last summer, a year after Wilf Zaha bid farewell to Selhurst Park leaving all eyes were on Greenwich-born Eze after they fought off interest to keep him.

His form has been decent, but he has scored only twice in 24 Premier League appearances. At Fulham though, in the biggest game of the season, he certainly answered the call.

A goal Palace supporters will cherish for years by the sort of player we used to say was worth the ticket price alone in an age before ticket prices became quite so expensive.

Eze opened the scoring with a lovely strike from just outside the area in the first half

Boss Oliver Glasner gave him a cuddle as Eze was substituted in the 90th minute and whispered a few words of appreciation in his ear.

Like a reflection of his season, this wasn’t a complete Eze masterclass. His contributions were fleeting within a strong team effort. But they were delightful as ever. And proved vital.

‘Ebs is having quite a strange season,’ said Glasner. ‘He does not have many goals in the Premier League, but he has had so many chances.

‘He has been so unlucky in so many situations, with disallowed goals, deflected goals, hitting the post. He always keeps going. He has struggled with injuries, some strange injuries. I think his goal against Latvia, his first goal for England, means a lot for him as a person and has helped him.’

If Eze is purring, Palace will fear no team at Wembley. If Eze is purring, Palace will face another summer of interest from wealthier clubs keen to tempt the 26-year-old from South London.

It would leave a hole difficult to fill. Glasner has struck a pleasing balance with his invention to the left of centre forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and Sarr’s searing pace and willing running on the right.

This trio, especially away from home, can be destructive when breaking out from the platform of a strong defensive unit forged around a back three, with wing backs flying up and down the flanks and two midfield all-rounders, on this occasion Adam Wharton and Jefferson Lerma.

Crystal Palace, for whom substitute Eddie Nketiah scored the third at Fulham to avoid any late panic, have not conceded on the road since losing the Carabao Cup quarter final at Arsenal in December. They have won their last six away games in all competitions without conceding and drew the one before that 0-0 to make it seven clean successive clean sheets.

Glasner has challenged his team to finish in the top half of the Premier League. Not only to focus on the FA Cup. They sit 12th after a sluggish start. They didn’t win until the end of October, and travel to Southampton on Wednesday.

The Austrian, however, might have the knack as a cup specialist. He won the Austrian Cup twice as a player with SV Ried and as manager led Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League in 2022. His Eintracht made it to the final of the German Cup a year later, losing to Leipzig.

Palace in his first full season have won seven cup ties, reaching the last eight of the Carabao Cup and now the last four of the FA Cup.