Despite playing Tottenham Hotspur in a one nil defeat in November 2017 during Spur’s brief tenure at the national team’s stadium, the 17th of April will mark the Eagles first return in a knockout game to the stadium since their remarkable success in the 2016 FA Cup.

However, Thomas Tuchel’s in form Chelsea side will be faced with a far different Crystal Palace team to that which played in the Summer of 2016, a side which featured the likes of now retired Yohan Cabaye and Charlton full-back Pape Souare. Patrick Vieira has revolutionised his squad since his arrival in July 2021, breaking out of Palace’s defensive mould and introducing a far more dynamic style of possession-based play, assisted by the exciting signings of Michael Olise and Conor Gallagher, who have both respectively contributed massively to Palace’s campaign as of so far.

The journey of Palace in their cup run has been impressive, but by no means easy. Their third-round comeback to London rivals Millwall hoisted Palace into a fourth-round fixture versus league two Hartlepool. However, the lower league side proved to be no push over for the established Premiership team, with their backline holding Palace to a two-goal margin. Their run continued with a late win against Stoke City in early March, the Palace centre midfielder Riedewald sinking the Staffordshire club’s hopes of an FA cup Quarter Final with a bulleted half volley. Palace’s latest fixture saw them inflict four upon Frank Lampard’s Everton, pushing them into their first FA cup semi-final draw since their encounter with Watford in April of 2016.

West London rivals Chelsea will arguably be Palace’s toughest obstacle to the final, with the Blues seeking their first FA cup trophy since 2018. However, over the course of the season, Vieira’s Eagles have produced some defiant results against the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, meaning a Palace route to the final is by no means out of the question.