Crystal Palace vs Watford match report: Connor Wickham sets up FA Cup final with Manchester United
Crystal Palace 2 Watford 1: Yannick Bolasie opened the scoring before Troy Deeney levelled for Watford, but Wickham's 61st minute header split the teams to send Palace to their first final since 1990 - which was also against Manchester United
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Your support makes all the difference.Crystal Palace will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final for the second time after Connor Wickham powered home a header for the Eagles to beat Watford 2-1.
Palace have only been to one final in their 110-year history, the thrilling 1990 final against United that current manager Alan Pardew played in and that needed a replay to settle.
Wickham, a physical presence who dominated Watford's defenders throughout, scored the decisive goal after Yannick Bolasie had given the Eagles an early lead. Watford captain Troy Deeney equalised with a header of his own, but in truth, Palace were more than deserving winners.
Palace dominated and were unlucky to be only be a goal up at the break. Backed by their vociferous, as ever, support, the Eagles quickly grabbed control of the game. With some of the Watford players looking nervy from the very start, it didn't take Alan Pardew's side long to go ahead, in what would have been mightily frustrating fashion for those clad in yellow and black.
Yohan Cabaye swung in a corner to the near post and Damien Delaney's flicked header looped all the way to the back post where Yannick Bolasie was, somehow, unmarked, to nod home from just a yard out.
Palace fans may remember a certain Alan Pardew scoring a similar goal in the famous 1990 FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool.
It didn't get much better for Watford with Palace in complete control, and they took 15 minutes to find their first effort on goal, a shot blasted well over by captain Troy Deeney. It gave Watford a bit of confidence and moments later Joel Ward had the Palace faithful holding their breath after a misjudgement. The right-back looked like he had turned into his own net but he managed to shin a cross just inches past the post.
The rest of the half was a tight and scrappy affair, with neither side having any meaningful efforts at goal. Palace were content to sit deep, soak up the pressure and hit Watford on the counter, with Wilfried Zaha and Bolaise looking especially dangerous.
Palace, however, definitely should have had a penalty when Chelsea loanee Nathan Ake, troubled by Zaha all afternoon, handled from the winger's cross just before the break.
The second half didn't start much better for Watford, who may have been down to 10 men had referee Craig Pawson decided to punish Britos after he fouled Connor Wickham. Britos was again at fault, needlessly diving into a tackle, when Bolasie sprung free of him and into the box, but Pantilimon used one of his big legs to just about turn the ball over the bar.
Palace were in control but spurred on by a rejuvenated crowd, Watford fought back, enjoying their best five minutes of the match and taking full advantage.
Troy Deeney, easily Watford's best performer, out-fought Scott Dann at a corner to power home another close range header and put the Hornets right back into the game - but it wouldn't last long.
Palace immediately went up a gear and first saw a Pape Souare shot go over, before Souare curled in a beautiful ball to the far post. Again Nathan Ake was beaten all ends up, statuesque as Wickham leapt high to put Palace back into the lead.
Again Palace sunk back into their defensive shell, happy to soak up whatever Watford could muster, which wasn't much. In fact Pardew's men were at their best with Watford on the front foot, Zaha almost adding a thrilling third after bursting forward from a Watford corner before being crowded out.
Watford did little in the final third, pumping the ball long in a futile effort for Deeney to knock down; he managed it once but it wasn't quite in the right spot for Ighalo, who smashed it well over.
Watford contined to heap on the pressure in the dying minutes, substitute Adlene Guedioura hitting narrowly wide in injury time, but Palace stood firm to complete that return to 1990.
Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Hennessey, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare, Puncheon (Sako 81), Cabaye, Jedinak, Zaha; Bolasie (McArthur 74), Wickham (Adebayor 86).
Watford (4-4-2): Pantilimon, Nyom (Anya 83), Britos, Cathcart, Ake, Abdi (Guedioura 55), Capoue (Suarez 32), Watson, Jurado, Deeney, Ighalo.
Match rating: 7/10
Man of the match: Connor Wickham (Crystal Palace)
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)
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