Eze – From Rejection to a Hero Forever
- aaronptighe
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
watch the video - 22 seconds in.
What a brilliant day for the underdog Crystal Palace, winning the FA Cup against City. It was a superb display of defending as a disciplined unit, breaking with fantastic pace and finishing clinically.
For young players making their way in the game, the story of goalscorer Eberechi Eze is inspirational. Here, we take a look at an on-pitch, first-person view of what it was like to be Eze—the thoughts as the move developed and the technique used to score. We'll also explore his resilient journey in the game.
Eze – First-person view of the goal
Centre-forward Mateta will likely get to the long ball from deep first. He’s just inside our half, to the right of the centre circle. Let’s see if he gets control—then I can run forward from my position, inside the left of the centre circle, to join him. It’s been a good team display of defending our box so far. This is a breakaway chance.
Mateta’s backing into the defender—brilliant control with his right foot. I’m free for him to pass to me, but… okay, no—he’s passed backwards to midfielder Kamada, 10 yards away, and he’s spun, running forward. Kamada’s off balance but plays it forward first time into the right inside channel. It’s good—Mateta’s picked it up and City have dropped off him. We’re on for the break, as wide player Muñoz is sprinting into the acres of space on the right wing behind their left full-back. Mateta plays it fast into the open space for Muñoz to run onto.
Sprint now—we’ll reach their box and I need to get there for any chance created.
It’s happening super-fast. Muñoz takes one touch on the edge of the box to line up a cross. I’ve reached the edge of the box. Stay in front of my defender. The cross comes fast. It’s heading for Mateta, centre of the box—penalty spot—but he’s sprinting ahead of where it’s going to arrive. Perfect! Mateta has taken his defender away from the space. It’s mine. Focus on a good connection—side right-foot volley—and keep the ball low. Aim for the centre-left of the goal, and the spin will take it away from the keeper. Stay in stride and connect!
The ball flies over the grass, the power of the cross helping it speed into the corner net, inside the post.Goal!The Wembley crowd erupts!
Eze’s Youth Journey
Born in 1998 in Greenwich, London, to Nigerian Igbo parents, Eze grew up in a challenging environment. He honed his football skills playing in local cages, often using jumpers as goalposts. Ah, that brings back some memories—didn’t we all, as kids?
His early passion for the game led him to join Arsenal’s academy at age 8. However, he was released by Arsenal at 13. He had brief stints with Fulham and Reading academies, only to face further rejections. In 2014, he joined Millwall on a two-year scholarship but was released in 2016 after declining a professional contract offer.
Undeterred, Eze secured a trial with Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in August 2016, impressing the coaching staff and earning a contract. He made his first-team debut in an FA Cup match against Blackburn Rovers in January 2017. To gain more experience, he was loaned to Wycombe Wanderers for the 2017–2018 season, where he made 22 appearances and scored five goals. Returning to QPR, Eze became a key player, making over 100 appearances and scoring 20 goals between 2018 and 2020.
In August 2020, Eze signed a five-year deal with Crystal Palace. His performances earned him a call-up to the England national team, making his senior debut on June 16, 2023. And now, scoring the winner in the FA Cup Final, he cements his place in football folklore forever.
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Be the One!
Aaron Tighe
Founder, One2Pro
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