Eddie Nketiah sends message to Ben Chilwell after FA’s shock Crystal Palace call
Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah has sent a message to his teammate Ben Chilwell after the chaotic win over Milwall.
The left-back made his first start for his new club in the 3-1 FA Cup fifth round win over the Lions (1 March), after Chilwell joined on loan from Chelsea in January.
The match got off to a chaotic start, with Jean-Philippe Mateta receiving a boot to the face, from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
Referee Michael Oliver was slammed for failing to show Roberts a red card initially, and only did so after VAR intervention, despite being well-placed to see the incident.
Following the foul, Millwall fans chanted “let him die” as Mateta received treatment, before being taken to hospital.
After a long delay, Palace would go on to win the tie, thanks to an own goal from Japhet Tanganga, and strikes from Daniel Munoz, and Nketiah.
Eddie Nketiah gives Ben Chilwell support after Millwall chants at defender
Mateta was not the only Palace player to be subjected to abuse from the Millwall fans, as The FA are investigating chants of “Chelsea rent boy” aimed at the England international.
Shockingly, the chants targeted at Palace’s French striker are not being investigated as “it does not breach regulations”.
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The decision by the FA was slammed by ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett, who told Football Insider exclusively: “That borders on the ridiculous, and I hope Crystal Palace will take that issue up with them.”
Nketiah showed support for his teammate with a post on his Instagram story, showing the pair hugging, captioned: “Ma boy” with love-heart and saluting emojis.
Eddie Nketiah set for major role at Crystal Palace after Arsenal summer switch
Football Insider Verdict
Nketiah has been forced to remain patient, following a summer move from Arsenal for £30million.
The striker appeared 27 times in the Premier League for the Gunners last season, primarily off the bench, and left his boyhood club in an attempt to gain more minutes as a starter.
However, the brilliant form of Mateta, and Oliver Glasner’s decision to only use one striker, has limited the former Leeds player’s minutes, starting only six times in 19 league appearances.
Nketiah will likely be the first-choice striker, following the gruesome injury to the Eagles’ talismanic striker at the weekend.
The former Arsenal man played well against Millwall, scoring a delightful header to seal his side’s place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.