Troy Deeney, Watford’s two-goal match-winner at Selhurst Park in the Premier League earlier this season, responded 10 minutes after the interval, but Connor Wickham soon nodded Palace back ahead before Quique Sanchez Flores’ side could even think about building on their goal.
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However, parity was maintained for less than six minutes as Wickham outmuscled Ake under a looping Pape Souare cross and steered his header into the corner.
He played in Palace’s victorious 2013 Championship play-off final against Watford at Wembley – when he blocked a shot on the line in extra time to secure promotion – but, having been peripheral on two occasions in the past, wants to capitalise on an opportunity he had always been optimistic would still arise.
“So now we’ve got to enjoy it because we don’t know when the next opportunity will come”.
Pardew was a Palace player when the side last reached the showpiece in 1990, also against Manchester United.
Flores continued his assessment of the situation at the club and insists he is willing to stay committed to the club.
“I have an wonderful family, awesome kids, I am happy with my profession and I am completely happy with Watford fans”.
Yannick Bolasie. Headed Crystal Palace’s opening goal and provided their most consistent attacking threat to stretch Watford’s defence and prevent them from building attacks of their own.
Watford’s dreams of reaching their second FA Cup final were shattered after losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace in their semi-final at Wembley. It’s not the time to talk about me. Now manager at the Eagles, Pardew’s side have displayed relegation form in 2016 and have dropped from 4th place in the league at Christmas to 16th by mid-April.
Amazingly, Town were on stand-by to host any final replay in 1955, although Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Manchester City meant there was no need for one. We’re playing the biggest team in the world.
For Zaha, the final will have added resonance as the 23-year-old forward spent two years at United before being sold back to Crystal Palace last year. “When I was working I thought it was finished and over [football career] because I took my decision”.
And Pardew acknowledges the preparation for Wembley has hardly been ideal.
An FA Cup final would keep spirits up at board level, in the squad and with the fans, and give the squad a reason to keep going until the end of the season.
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Here, football writer Declan Warrington lists five things we learned from a fixture that will do much to define both teams’ seasons.
