Shearer holds back laughter as Crystal Palace’s Mitchell distraught v Aston Villa
Alan Shearer had to stifle laughter after Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell had a nightmare moment in their FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa.
The Eagles’ semi-final against the Villains on Saturday (26 April) was arguably the most significant match in recent history for Tottenham target Oliver Glasner‘s team.
Up against a Villa side that made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League this season, and looking to make their first FA Cup final since 2015, Palace were inarguably the underdogs.
But Glasner’s team are made of tough stuff, and a stunning strike from Arsenal target Eberechi Eze in the first half gave the Eagles the lead.
Man United target Jean-Philippe Mateta then missed a penalty, but Ismaila Sarr’s goals in the 58th and 94th minute gave Palace a richly deserved 3-0 win.
However, a moment just before half-time involving Mitchell caught the eye, and had Newcastle legend Shearer holding back laughter
Alan Shearer holds back laughter at Tyrick Mitchell mishap
With Palace looking to extend their 1-0 lead, Mitchell made a late break into Villa’s penalty area.
As every fullback dreams about after a lung-busting run up the pitch, the 25-year-old was picked out with a fine cross from Sarr, and Wembley held its breath.
However, it wasn’t to be as Mitchell completely fluffed his lines, swinging and missing at the ball.
Shearer was commentating the match live on BBC Sport and as Mateta comforted Mitchell, he said (26 April, 6.01pm): “It’s what they’ve done absolutely brilliantly. They were in a defending position then and within a few seconds they commit so many men forward. Wing-back [Munoz] into forward running in behind. He then, Sarr, picks out the other wing-back, Mitchell, and he misses an absolute sitter.
Shearer then stifled a laugh as Mitchell’s gaffe was replayed and said: “He just can’t get the connection with his right foot there. He doesn’t look comfortable at all, he’s all off balance. But brilliant again from Palace how they get into that position.”
As images replayed of the left-back with his shirt covering his face, commentator Steve Wilson said: “Well, he’ll want the Wembley turf to swallow him up.”
Oliver Glasner proves himself an incredible coach
Football Insider Verdict
Mitchell’s moment of embarrassment will be much easier for Palace to deal with now, thanks to the brilliance of Palace’s forwards.
However, it is easy to forget that whilst the triumvirate of Sarr, Eze, and Mateta are a danger to any side they face, that’s in large part thanks to their manager.
When Glasner arrived at Selhurst Park, the French striker was fresh off a season in which he scored twice in 29 Premier League games.
Eze, meanwhile, was a mercurial talent from the Championship with plenty of promise, but lacking the end product which Glasner has helped him achieve, and in doing so, the 26-year-old is an England international.
The final piece to the puzzle, Sarr, was brought in as a squad player this summer, and after struggling at right wing-back, the Austrian manager identified his talent in behind the striker, a position he had never played before.
Against Villa, the trio were on a tear and there was little the Midlands side could do to deal with them, a testament to the coaching abilities of Glasner.