Pardew’s side booked their first FA Cup final appearance for 26 years with a 2-1 win over Watford on Sunday and in a delicious twist it is United who are once again waiting for them at Wembley on May 21. I don’t see it as anything special. “My only objective is to win with Palace”, Zaha told British media. “Manchester United will have a hard game in the final”.
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“Manchester United is a big club but anyone can win in the final so we will look forward to that and I think we fancy ourselves as well”.
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.
On Saturday night, Anthony Martial snatched a late victor to send Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United into a potentially season-redeeming FA Cup final as the favourites following a 2-1 victory over Everton.
The Red Devils, who now lie five points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal in the race for a top four Premier League finish this season, advanced thanks to forward Anthony Martial’s 93rd minute finish which sent the red half of the national stadium into raptures.
“Now we have reached the FA Cup final and everyone has worked for it; those on the pitch, on the bench and those not in the squad – and the fans”.
While Tim and Woody’s journey continues to Wembley for the final, the same can not be said for their fellow winners from Reading, Arsenal, West Ham United, Northampton Town and, ahem, Watford.
Crystal Palace won the coin toss ahead of next month’s showdown and therefore will be the “home” team when they take on the Red Devils. “Some of my staff talk about it all the time”, Pardew said. Wee are happy in the squad, me and everyone is happy.
“We will have a different game plan against Manchester United, but that is not to say we can’t control the game”.
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The assistant also said that it was part of the routine to have Bolasie arrive at the back post, despite striker Connor Wickham or either of the two central defenders being a more obvious candidate to score a header from a set-piece. I spoke to Sir Alex on Wednesday and he was asking after him. They were always going to have a period and we saw that through.
