Eberechi Eze’s early goal made the difference as Crystal Palace beat League One Stockport 1-0 in their FA Cup third round tie at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner made five changes to the Palace side that drew with Chelsea on January 4, but still fielded a strong starting line-up, including Eze.
The English international shot Palace into the lead in the fourth minute and the hosts dominated possession, although both sides had their chances to make a difference in the result.
The League One visitors stayed in it and indeed produced more shots on goal than their Premier League opponents, who managed to secure victory perhaps less easily than they would have imagined.
The opener was facilitated by a pass from Daichi Kamada which was initially blocked by Odin Bailey, but the ball fell to Eze and he fired low past visiting goalkeeper Corey Addai.
Stockport came close to equalizing when Isaac Olaofe cut down Kyle Wootton on the edge of the Eagles’ 18-yard box but was denied by Marc Guehi’s late touch.
American goalkeeper Matt Turner – who was only the second starter for Palace since signing on loan from Nottingham Forest – was called into action for the first time by Callum Camps, whose low effort was saved.
The visitors had another chance shortly after the half-hour mark, Wootton headed to Olaofe, whose header was saved by Turner.
Eze tried again, this time hitting towards the back post, where Addai took the England international’s effort.
Ibou Touray then tried to set up Wootton, who got to it but nodded his head away.
Palace’s threat continued to primarily come from Eze, who flashed across goal where Daniel Munoz also failed to connect.
Palace got back in front after the break when Eddie Nketiah’s early shot went wide of the right-hand post and Jefferson Lerma headed home Kamada’s corner just after the hour mark.
The Eagles were relieved when Olaofe was aware of a moment of misunderstanding between his defenders, stole the ball but failed to find the finishing touch as Turner bent down to save.
Stockport remained resilient as Palace tried to make up for what was left of an uncomfortably small lead.
Guehi found Nketiah with a smart shot but the former Arsenal striker, surging forward, could only nod away.
Lerma missed a golden chance to make it two when he cleverly rounded Addai late on but somehow fired over the bar.
Palace almost found a second goal in the final passage of the game in six minutes of stoppage time.
Eze slipped to replace Justin Devenny but Addai was on hand for his initial effort and the Northern Ireland international sent his second into the side netting.
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