Wembley will feel like a second home for Marc Guehi by mid-April. England’s newest recruit hopes to make his senior international debut in one of forthcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast at the national stadium.
On Sunday, the impressive central defender booked himself another Wembley visit, putting Crystal Palace en route to an FA Cup semi-final with the opener in this comprehensive win over Everton.
Who knows, perhaps Guehi and the Eagles can book one more date under the arch before the domestic season is done.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi celebrates giving his side the lead in the first half
Jean-Philippe Mateta (L) doubled Palace’s lead shortly before half time with a fine finish
Indeed, an FA Cup final would be a deserved way to bring the curtain down on Patrick Vieira’s first season in charge at Selhurst Park.
His appointment was met with skepticism; the suspicion was understandable – Vieira hadn’t pulled up many trees during his managerial career prior to taking over.
But the Frenchman’s impact has been transformative. One of the hottest tickets in town, Palace are fashionable again.
Predecessor Roy Hodgson did what we has asked, to bring stability back to a club that were heading for the Championship when he took over in 2017.
The football, however, was less inspiring. But not any more.
Palace swaggered their way to victory here; granted Everton were meek – but boy did they go about dismantling Frank Lampard’s side in stylish fashion.
It’s not that Everton were woeful, because they weren’t that bad. On another day, they may have taken the lead here.
Yet it is clear this Toffees team is one with deficiencies all over the park; the lack of confidence and fortitude arguably the most alarming failings of them all.
Wilfried Zaha got in on the act after half time to put the result beyond doubt at Selhurst Park
He celebrated in front of the home fans on a dream afternoon for Patrick Vieira’s side
It’s key to stress that this isn’t Lampard’s fault; he walked into this mess – it isn’t of his making.
Nonetheless, it will be some achievement if he manages to clean it up.
While Lampard won’t admit it, perhaps this crushing loss will aid their fight against relegation. No distractions, just one focus – stay up.
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Everton’s relegation plight is an argument for another day, though. This was all about Palace, about Vieira and his brilliant young side.
Guehi’s the leader; it’s incredible to think he’s only 21. But scattered around him are a group of other supremely gifted young footballers.
Will Hughes wrapped up the comprehensive win for Palace with a late goal from close range
Tyrick Mitchell can expect to join Guehi in earning his first senior England call-up early this week as a replacement for Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will withdraw from Gareth Southgate’s party.
The pair will join Conor Gallagher, who was excellent again on Sunday, at St George’s Park this week.
Similarly, there aren’t many young players in England as talented as Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze right now either; the duo ran Everton ragged on Sunday.
Yet, in saying that, by the point Guehi had fired Palace in front Everton should have been a goal up, Michael Keane wasting a golden opportunity from Andros Townsend’s inswinging free-kick inside the opening minute.
Unfortunately for Townsend, he only lasted another 14 minutes after catching his studs in the turf.
The fact medics had to cover the Everton winger’s eyes as he received lengthy treatment amplified fears.
It was a humbling afternoon for Frank Lampard’s men as they were dumped out of the FA Cup
Everton will also have to cope with a potentially serious injury to Andros Townsend
The Palace fans who adored Townsend for five seasons before his move to Goodison Park last summer tried to raise his spirits with warm applause – and credit to Townsend, he acknowledged them despite his obvious pain.
But that will come as little comfort to Townsend or his manager, with the forward’s availability for the club’s relegation run-in looking under significant threat.
It was a huge blow for the Toffees, who had started the better of the two teams here at Selhurst Park.
But by the time the half-time whistle blew they were a spent force.
Guehi’s deft header from Olise’s corner in the 25th minute that flew past Jordan Pickford got the ball rolling before Jean-Philippe Mateta applied the finishing touch to an incisive move that included Eze and Wilfried Zaha before half time.
Patrick Vieira now has an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley to look forward to next month
Palace were absolutely purring. Everton, in contrast, were like a startled cat – frozen and unresponsive.
Lampard introduced Dominic Calvert-Lewin at half-time in place of defender Jonjoe Kelly in hope of manufacturing an unlikely route back into this game.
But it was Palace who emerged after the break bursting with intent. Olise continued to terrorise Everton’s left-side while Eze showed why he – along with Mitchell – will be the next to receive and England call-up.
Everton must now focus their efforts on trying to avoid relegation from the Premier League
Demarai Gray fired wide from distant in the 66th minute to at least raise a reaction from the suffering away supporters.
But the fact Everton were resorting to long distance efforts illustrates the grip of control Palace had exerted on this cup tie.
And by the end it was rout – Zaha and Will Hughes putting a complexion on the scoreline that didn’t flatter Palace one iota.
The Eagles are soaring to Wembley. What lies ahead for Everton, however; who knows.
Here is Sportsmail’s Sam Brookes with the live blog for updates on the FA Cup quarter-final clash between Crystal Palace and Everton.
It’s all over, Crystal Palace are heading to Wembley!
Just two minutes added on at the end of the game.
VAR checked for a possible handball in the build-up but the goal stands.
Hughes start the moves by playing the ball into Edouard.
He plays it into Gallagher who turns and shoots. Pickford gets down well to produce a good save, but Hughes is there to follow up and score.
Olise’s afternoon is over as he is replaced by Benteke. Meanwhile, Hughes comes on for Kouyate.
Gray and Calvert-Lewin exchange passes and the former has a chance to pull one back but his shot is tame and is easily held by Butland.
What a bizarre goal!
Olise has a great chance to score but kicks the ball against his own foot. The ball loops up and comes back off the post. Zaha is waiting for the rebound and he makes no mistake from close range.
Zaha moves away from a cluster of defenders and had a golden opportunity to wrap the game up but he takes a little too long and Holgate manages to block his effort.
Everton have looked a little more threatening in the last couple of minutes.
Gordon plays in who puts it across the six yard box but Butland gets down well to claim it.
Everton work the ball out to Iwobi and his cross looks dangerous but neither Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison can quite get on the end of it.
This sums up Everton’s second half so far.
The visitors dally on the ball before playing it back to Pickford who kicks it straight out of play.
Iwobi comes on for Coleman.
Edouard holds the ball up well and lays it off to Olise, but he is leaning back and his shot goes high and wide.
Eze and Mateta are replaced by Milivojevic and Edouard.
Coleman and Calvert-Lewin link up well to feed the ball to Gray. He turns away from Palace’s defence and hits an effort from 20 yards but it flashes wide.
Butland probably had it covered.
Frustration getting the better of Everton’s players now. This time it’s Gomes who takes out Olise and he goes into the book.
He narrowly avoided a booking in the first half but Gordon has now got his yellow card as he drags down Olise.
This has been a really underwhelming start to the second half for Everton. Richarlison tries to link up with Gomes, but his pass misses its target and runs behind for a goal kick.
Kouyate stays down after landing awkwardly having gone up for a header. He gets up holding his shoulder, but will be able to play on.
Everton’s pressing caused problems in the first half but Palace are looking much more at ease in the early stages of this second half.
Everton need a response but it’s Palace who have started the half brighter. Zaha links up with Mateta and earns the hosts another corner.
Olise dribbles down the right and wins a corner. Everton manage to clear this one and Olise is then caught offside.
Some may have expected Richarlison to move to the left wing, but Gordon has started there, with Richarlison partnering Calvert-Lewin up front.
Everton get the second half underway.
Lampard has reacted straight away and is bringing on Calvert-Lewin to replace Kenny. Looks like a change in formation for the Toffees.
There were some positive signs in that first half, but Everton still have an uphill task on their hands heading into the second half. Lampard needs to get a big reaction from his players after the break.
Frank Lampard will know that his team have a huge task to turn the game around now
He was very nearly caught out early on when he had to make a last-ditch tackle to deny Richarlison, but Guehi has ended up making a telling impact at the other end.
He headed Palace in front, and it’s fair to say that he was happy about it!
Marc Guehi celebrates scoring a header to put Crystal Palace in front in the first half
Everton were the better side in the first 20 minutes but Palace held firm and gradually grew into the game. They are now in complete control thanks to goals from Guehi and Mateta.
Stuart Attwell brings an end to the first half.
Palace are finding their rhythm now and winning the second balls. Zaha picks the ball up in space but his cross is disappointing this time and goes behind.
This could have been game over.
Eze cushions a header into the path of Mateta who is through but he dallies on the ball and Coleman just gets back in time to nick the ball away from him.
After the earlier Townsend injury, we have four minutes added on at the end of the half.
He’s been in the wars this half. Gallagher flicks the ball on and is just caught late by Holgate who wants him to get up. Gallagher stays down briefly but is fine to continue.
What a well-worked goal!
Eze clips the ball down the line for Zaha who looks up and picks out Mateta. The striker runs on to the cross and hits his shot past Pickford. The goalkeeper gets a finger to it but no more than that as it flashes in.
Lovely ball over the top from Coleman and Richarlison is in behind but the ball is bouncing awkwardly and he can only hit his shot straight at Butland.
Richarlison has caused problems with his work rate up front. For the moment, Palace’s defence are holding firm.
Everton have won plenty of corners in this half but are yet to make the most of them. Godfrey wins this one, but it never looked like troubling the goalkeeper as it drifts well wide.
Very good work from Mateta as he makes a run down the side and whips in a cross for Zaha. Six yards out, you’d expect him to hit the target, but under pressure he puts it into the side-netting.
Frustrating for Everton as Gray puts a decent ball into the box but Holgate is well offside.
Mitchell lets the ball get away from him and Gordon nips in to win a free-kick. It’s in a decent area as well…
Gomes tries his luck from long range. It would have to be a stunner to go in from there, and it isn’t as it flies well wide.
Just before that Guehi header, Palace had another corner which Pickford was almost caught out by. They have not defended the opening couple of set-pieces well and it has cost them.
Against the run of play, Palace lead!
Olise whips in a corner and Guehi gets up to plant his header into the far corner.
Gallagher just gets to the ball before Gomes and is caught in the face by a stray boot. Gomes avoids a booking and Gallagher is quickly back to his feet.
Better from Palace. Zaha fires the ball into Eze who turns and shoots straight away but it is easy work for Pickford.
The break in play hasn’t affected Everton as they continue to dominate. Gordon sets up Holgate whose shot is on target, but it is deflected behind for a corner which comes to nothing.
The game is back underway. We will have a fair bit of stoppage time at the end of the half after that break in play.
Townsend is carried off by two members of the medical team in the end. Gray comes on for him as expected.
Townsend’s afternoon is over. He will need to be stretchered off. A devastating blow for the winger who had started well.
Townsend is covering his face. Did he jar his knee in that tackle? Demarai Gray looks ready to replace him.
Mitchell puts in a big tackle on Townsend and the Everton man is hurt. He will need treatment.
Everton win a free-kick and Townsend’s ball in is decent enough but Richarlison’s header loops harmlessly over.
Everton all over Palace right now, and Vieira’s men can’t get their foot on the ball.
Gordon produces a brilliant turn to break through the midfield and plays in Richarlison who appears to be tripped by Guehi, but he was just offside. Moments later, Richarlison shoots over the bar. A very good start from the visitors.
Townsend’s corner is a little too high for Holgate who can only loop his header over the bar.
Back-to-back corners for Everton. They have started very well.
Nearly a moment to forget for Guehi. He mis-controls the ball and Richarlison is nearly in, but Guehi just gets back to make a crucial challenge.
Free-kick delivered by Townsend breaks to Keane who miscues his effort with his left foot. Should have done better, although he may actually have been just offside.
Both sides take a knee, and it’s the home team who get the match started.
The players have just come out the tunnel. Kick-off is moments away…
Crystal Palace: Butland, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Kouyate, Gallagher, Eze, Olise, Mateta, Zaha
Substitutes: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Kelly, Milivojevic, Riedewald, Hughes, Edouard, Benteke
Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Holgate, Godfrey, Keane, Kenny, Doucoure, Gomes, Gordon, Townsend, Richarlison
Substitutes: Lonergan, Tyrer, Patterson, Calvert-Lewin, Gray, Iwobi, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Price
Kick-off is just 10 minutes away…
Lampard has also revealed that Calvert-Lewin had a small reaction after coming off the bench against Newcastle on Thursday. This explains why he starts today’s game on the bench.
Lampard has confirmed ahead of kick-off that Asmir Begovic has been left out of the squad today due to illness. Fortunately for Everton, Pickford is well enough to play.
Guehi is still only 21, but he is already captaining Palace, and he will take the armband again today.
It has been a monumental week for the defender after he was named in the England squad.
To learn more about his progress in recent years, click the link below…
Richarlison looks set to play as Everton’s lone striker today, with Calvert-Lewin named among the substitutes for the visitors.
The Brazilian forward will be hoping to add to his tally of five goals for the season.
Richarlison arriving at Selhurst Park ahead of Everton's clash with Crystal Palace
Conor Gallagher has had a wonderful season at Palace, and was named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad on Thursday.
He will line up in Palace’s midfield today, and even had time to take pictures with fans as he arrived at the stadium.
Conor Gallagher (R) stops for pictures with fans before Crystal Palace face Everton
Everton are currently just three points above the relegation zone.
Danny Murphy thinks an FA Cup run could benefit them in their bid to avoid the drop. Find out what Murphy had to say about Everton by clicking the link below…
Today’s clash will see Lampard and Vieira up against one another in the dugout.
The two iconic midfielders had some fascinating battles on the pitch, and Lampard has revealed that he has studied Vieira’s coaching methods in the past.
To find out what Lampard had to say about Vieira, click the link below…
Michael Olise has been named in an attacking line-up for Palace. The winger has become a regular under Patrick Vieira in recent weeks.
To find out more about his rise to the top, click on the link below…
Jordan Pickford returns for Everton after missing their match on Thursday through illness. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is only fit enough to make the bench.
Eberechi Eze is handed a rare start, while Marc Guehi will captain the Eagles just three days after receiving his first England call-up.
We are all set for today’s first FA quarter-final between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park.
Sam Brookes
Host commentator