Crystal Palace edge out Millwall in Selhurst Park shoot-out

Crystal Palace edged into the fourth round of Carabao Cup after defeating Millwall 4-2 on penalties at Selhurst Park, although they will be wondering how they allowed the tie to reach that stage.

Normal time had finished deadlocked at 1-1 with Palace appearing to have claimed south London bragging rights when Chris Richards fired them ahead in the 72nd minute, only for Ryan Leonard to produce an added-time equaliser.

Jean-Philippe Mateta then had the goal at his mercy to score the latest of winners and somehow missed from six yards out but Palace at least held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out with debutant goalkeeper Walter Benitez the hero.

Palace made all the early running with Yeremy Pino producing a shot at goal that was kept out by goakeeper Steven Benda.

Three consecutive Palace attacks were halted by a series of physical tackles that incensed the home fans and the pressure continued to build on Millwall’s goal with Benda by far the busier keeper.

The visitors should have taken the lead in the 32nd minute when they leapt on some sloppy defending to create a chance for Camiel Neghli but his shot drifted wide.

Millwall had improved and soon after Mihailo Ivanovic’s glancing header forced Benitez into action, before Zac Sturge was also kept out by the keeper.

The game had been turned on its head with Palace pinned in their half and conceding the better chances until a flurry late in the first half put them back on the front foot.

Their revival continued after the interval as they peppered the Millwall box with crosses before an injection of pace and shot from Pino threatened to break the deadlock.

Millwall were producing the occasional flourish in attack but they were back swimming against the tide and almost conceded when Benda came racing out and had to rely on his defence to stop Mateta from scoring.

The goal Palace deserved finally arrived in the 72nd minute when Christantus Uche was the first to meet a, corner with his snatched shot leading to a scrum in the box that ended when substitute Richards stabbed home.

Richards then did well to sprint back and deal with a rapid Millwall raid launched from deep inside their half.

The visitors were finding space down the right and after seeing one cross cleared, they pounced at a corner with Leonard successful through a glancing header.

Remarkably, Palace had a late chance to snatch victory but Mateta somehow missed the easiest of chances with his attempt hurtling off target, after being set up by Daniel Munoz, ensuring that penalties would be needed to separate the rivals.

Benitez proved the difference in the shootout, first keeping out Tristan Crama’s opener and then stopping Aidomo Emakhu when the replacement stepped up with no margin for error to keep Millwall in the game.

Benda, a late replacement for Max Crocombe who was injured during the warm-up, was unable to stop any of Palace’s attempts.