Late Carew brace sinks Palace

John Carew
12 April 2012

John Carew won and converted two late penalties to keep Aston Villa on course for a second Wembley final as they beat Crystal Palace 3-1 in an FA Cup fifth-round replay at Villa Park.

Villa had been stunned when Darren Ambrose's spot-kick cancelled out Gabriel Agbonlahor's 14th goal of the campaign.

But Carew had the final say for the Carling Cup finalists with his double blast after both penalties were conceded by Matthew Lawrence.

Villa began strongly and low cross from James Milner found its way through to Agbonlahor but he was unable to make a clean contact with his shot and Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni was able to collect.

Agbonlahor created a chance for himself when turning and shaking off the challenge of Lawrence but Speroni was able to beat out his left-footed drive.

Villa's pressure finally paid off when Agbonlahor broke the deadlock three minutes before half-time.

There was again controversy with the ball appearing to go out of play off Milner but referee Martin Atkinson decided it had struck Carle. Agbonlahor was first to react to Ashley Young's centre and beat Speroni with a back header into the corner of the net.

Palace got back on level terms after 72 minutes when Stephen Warnock brought down Lee in the penalty area and Ambrose converted the subsequent penalty.

But Villa retaliated and Carew earned - and converted - two more penalties to send Villa through to the last eight.

The Norway international was brought down by Lawrence after 79 minutes and made no mistake himself from 12 yards. Then, with two minutes remaining, Lawrence was again found guilty of fouling Carew inside the box - and the striker again tucked away the penalty.

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