Crystal Palace edged Watford 2-1 at Wembley to book an FA Cup final date with Manchester United and revenge mission for Alan Pardew.
Advertisement
Zaha signed for United in 2013 as a promising youngster but was sent on loan several times by then-manager David Moyes.
United comfortably beat Crystal Palace 2-0 last week in a league fixture to move up to fifth in the Premier League.
“I hope the destiny isn’t the same result”, said Pardew, a member of Palace’s midfield during those encounters. “My only objective is to win with Palace”, Zaha told British media. It can be United, Aston Villa, Chelsea or whoever.
Connor Wickham’s powerful header just after the hour secured progress to the second final of the club’s 111-year history as reward for a dominant performance.
Crystal Palace’s victory over Watford on Sunday booked them a return trip to Wembley, where they will reconvene to face Manchester United on Saturday, 21 May.
The Eagles boss, who has agreed in principle to an extension, is delaying putting pen to paper until the club have confirmed their survival in the Premier League.
The powerful Bolasie and Wickham have both been absent for lengthy spells with injuries this season and they showed Palace fans what they had been missing. He just wants a winner’s medal.
“I remember watching Manchester United and Crystal Palace and the tradition of these two teams 26 years ago and that famous game – it’s unbelievable how these games relive”.
I thought we played well, even if it did take until being prompted at half time for me to realise that Bolasie had scored and we were winning. “The most important thing is that we are competitive in the semi-final”.
Van Gaal’s position has come under increasing scrutiny during an erratic United campaign and the FA Cup represents the last chance for his side to win any silverware this term. “I’m pleased for Louis [van Gaal] that he’s got there because he’s been given a tough time”. Maybe if we had kept it 1-1 for a bit longer we would have gone on to win the game, but it wasn’t to be.
Advertisement
Chris Smalling’s own goal cancelled out Marouane Fellaini’s opener against his former club Everton before Anthony Martial netted an added-time victor to secure a 2-1 victory over the Toffees in added time at the home of English football.
