Captain Luka Milivojevic saw red as Derby County sent Crystal Palace crashing out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle.

Chris Martin’s first half strike for the Rams was enough to settle a tie which made up for little goal mouth action with a controversial sending-off.

Palace’s skipper took an early bath on the hour as referee Michael Oliver deemed his head thrust towards Tom Huddlestone merited a straight red on second time of watching via VAR.

In truth Phillip Cocu’s men looked comfortable against an Eagle’s side that lacked creativity, energy and motivation in a Third Round tie that won’t live long in the memory, albeit for a sending off and the Hollywood glamour that follows Wayne Rooney.

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After a bright opening five minutes from the hosts and Brandon Pierrick in particular, it was the visitors who looked more likely as Rooney, dictating proceeding for the Rams, proved there was some magic left in those well-worn boots.

Cutting the defence apart with a sublime long ball he found Louie Sibley, who not for the first time, squandered an opportunity as he handled bringing the ball under control.

Palace had been warned multiple times and on 32 minutes they were deservedly behind as Martin steered Jayden Bogel's fizzed cross past a helpless Wayne Hennessey.

It got worse for Hodgson’s side moments later as their chief creator Max Meyer hobbled off before the break unable to shake off a knock he picked up earlier in the contest.

Red-Mist

Palace raised their game second half and at the forefront of most things was Pierrick.

His neat footwork down the right teed up James McCarthy whose deflected effort was well saved by Kelle Roos.

It was better from Hodgson’s men, and it needed to be after a subdued opening 45.

As Palace seemed to be in the ascendancy it was Derby who should’ve netted.

Bogle, free at the back post somehow sent his header wayward from a fine Morgan Whittaker cross.

Already chasing the game, Palace’s task got tougher as referee Michael Oliver gave Milivojevic his marching orders, upgrading an initial yellow card to a red after consulting VAR for thrusting his head at Tom Huddlestone.

On second viewing you could argue the Serb was unlucky after Huddlestone ignited the feud by flicking out at the Palace midfidler to begin with.

Palace went in search of an equaliser but with Meyer off the pitch, and down to ten men, the  Eagles lacked creativity and Rams held on to book their place in the Fourth Round draw.

 

TEAMS:

Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Kelly, Kouyate, Cahill, Riedewald (Woods 75’), McCarthy, Milivojevic, Meyer (McArthur 40’), Pierrick (Tomkins 71’), Ayew, Wickham SUBS: Henderson, Tomkins, McArthur, Woods, Kirby, McGregor, Daly

Derby County: Roos, Forsyth, Davies, Whittaker (Holmes 71’), Rooney, Huddlestone (Bird 74’), Malone, Bogle, Lawrence, Sibley (Waghorn 88’), Martin SUBS: Ravas, Wisdom, Jozefzoon, Holmes, Knight, Bird, Waghorn