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As it happenedended1552751279

Watford vs Crystal Palace, FA Cup: Andre Gray the hero as Hornets secure Wembley trip

Latest updates from Vicarage Road

Michael Jones
Saturday 16 March 2019 11:02 EDT
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Watford 2018/19 Premier League profile

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Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Andre Gray's late strike sent Watford through to the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.

The game looked to be heading to extra time after Michy Batshuayi cancelled out Etienne Capoue's first-half opener.

But Gray struck in the 79th minute, converting Roberto Pereyra's cross from close range to earn a Wembley date for his side.

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48 mins: Watford 1 - 0 Palace

Wan-Bissaka works the right wing well seeing what Masina is made of. He gives the ball back to Milivojevic who puts a ball over the top but sends it out of play. 

Michael Jones16 March 2019 13:23
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51 mins: Watford 1 - 0 Palace

Wan-Bissaka wins a corner for Palace. Andros Townsend puts the ball into the box, it dips and bounces in the centre before Meyer heads it towards the far post. Gomes scrambles across and pushes it away. Good save from Gomes.

Michael Jones16 March 2019 13:26
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54 mins: Watford 1 - 0 Palace

Crystal Palace have started the second half strongly. They're happy to put the ball into the box but the wind is making it difficult to find the right pace at which they deliver the crosses. Quite a few balls are flying over everyone's heads. 

Michael Jones16 March 2019 13:29
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57 mins: Watford 1- 0 Palace

Watford have done well since the restart. They've been asked to defend quite a bit but they're sitting back with closed lines and are making it hard for Palace to penetrate. 

Deeney fouls Meyer and Palace have a free kick close to 35-yards from goal. Milivojevic floats the ball into the box but Masina and Deulofeu combine to clear the ball. 

Crystal Palace bring it back and Capoue takes down Meyer. Masina gets booked for a previous challenge

Michael Jones16 March 2019 13:33
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60 mins: Watford 1 - 0 Palace

Townsend takes the free kick and curls it towards goal. Gomes pushes it over the bar for a corner. Townsends steps up to take the corner but Watford clear it away with ease. 

Schlupp puts a long ball into Batshuayi who runs it into the box and drills a left-footed shot wide of goal. 

Michael Jones16 March 2019 13:35
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62 mins: Watford 1 - 1 Palace - Batshuayi

It's all square!

Gomes hits the ball out to Kiko who heads it back to Mariappa. Mariappa takes too long to control the ball and Batshuayi dispossesses him before running into the box. He's on his own against the goalkeeper and slots it into the far corner. Game on!

Michael Jones16 March 2019 13:37
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66 mins: Watford 1 - 1 Palace

It must have been one hell of a team talk by Roy Hodgson at half-time. Palace are set up in the same way but they've dominated the second half so far. Pereyra gets the ball out wide for a rare Watford attack and he runs the ball out of play. 

Michael Jones16 March 2019 13:41
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69 mins: Watford 1 - 1 Palace

It's been a strange second half for Watford. They seem to have lost all the confidence they built up in the first half and look all at sea when they try to go forward. They have a fee kick on the halfway line and Mariappa punts it long.

Michael Jones16 March 2019 13:45
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72 mins: Watford 1 - 1 Palace

Palace attack down the right with Batshuayi. He runs past Masina and hits a low cross into Meyer. Meyer's shot is blocked and Watford clear away the danger. 

Michael Jones16 March 2019 13:48
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75 mins: Watford 1 - 1 Palace

What a chance for Watford! They whip the ball into the box from the left and Guaita makes a mess of trying to punch it away. Pereyra claims it and smahes it at goal. Guaita recovers to make and good save but Pereyra gets it back and flicks it to Doucoure who has an open net in front of him and he shins the ball over the bar. 

Michael Jones16 March 2019 13:51

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