Watford, though, have lost four of their five previous FA Cup semi-finals.
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It was Connor Wickham who joined Pardew in Palace folklore by applying the finishing touch to a tense 2-1 victory, with the sense of symmetry only deepened by the looming prospect of a repeat of that classic final against Manchester United.
Pardew has claimed that Zaha has “unbelievable potential”, but was disappointed that the Englishman could not find the back of the net following a mazy run in the second period. “Watford had 10 minutes when they bossed the game and scored, but we bossed it for 80 minutes and that is a testament to our players’ mentality”.
The Hornets missed out on a place in the FA Cup Final after losing 2-1 to the Eagles at Wembley. “But he’s shown today, this guy’s got unbelievable ability”.
Wickham converted from Papa Souare’s cross to give Alan Pardew’s side the lead for a second time and though Scott Dann avoided being sent off, Palace edged into May’s final.
When asked about Sunday’s opposition, Pardew was full of praise for their manager Quique Sanchez Flores and their strike force, saying that the Watford manager “has done a great job, he has come in and has a traditional British pair in Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney”. But their celebrations were short-lived as Crystal Palace fought back brilliantly through Wickham. We had a game plan that the players carried out to the letter.
Winger Wilfried Zaha, who will meet his former club in the final, said: “United are just another team now for me”. Highlights include all of Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 matches as well as tennis tournaments and some of the FA Cup and Capital One Cup games to name just few. But following a strong first half to the season, Watford’s survival was assured with weeks to spare.
Palace were underdogs in the final against Gianfranco Zola’s Watford but put in a very solid display and won thanks to a Kevin Phillips penalty in extra time.
‘We are not talking about me during the season. “I hope we do that again this time as well”.
“It was hard to concede the first goal”, he said.
Having weathered so much Palace pressure, the suspicion was that Watford’s goal might also prove pivotal in changing the pattern and rhythm of the match but Palace were inspired rather than deflated by the equaliser. Watford fans need to know that I am completely happy at Watford.
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The head coach said: “We started this match safe in the main competition so there are reasons to be happy, to enjoy and be positive”.
