Watford vs Crystal Palace, FA Cup: Andre Gray the hero as Hornets secure Wembley trip
Latest updates from Vicarage Road
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
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.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
78 mins: Watford 1 - 1 Palace
Will Hughes goes off and Gray comes on as Watford hunt for a winning goal.
79 mins: Watford 2 - 1 Palace - Gray
What a super-sub!
Pereyra makes this goal, he gets the ball in the middle of the pitch, squeezes past two defenders and runs out to the left hand side. Andre Gray makes a run into the box and Pereyra finds him with a perfect ball over the top. The goalkeeper doesn't react and Gray guides the ball past him to give Watford the lead.
81 mins: Watford 2 - 1 Palace
Palace win a free kick about 22-yards out and Milivojevic steps up. He takes a shot but hits the wall. The ball comes back to him so he shoots again but hits the wall again.
84 mins: Watford 2 - 1 Palace
Benteke comes on for McArthur, do Palace have another goal in them?
Deeney hits a shot from range but Guaita spills the ball, Pereyra follows it up but Wan-Bissaka gets their first and kicks it away from goal.
87 mins: Watford 2 - 1 Palace
Watford win a couple of corners Deulofeu takes the second one and sends it in towards Cathcart. Cathcart heads it towards goal but Milivojevic heads it off the line.
Tomkins wins a free kick as Palace try to push forward, there's a nervous energy descending on the ground now.
88 mins: Watford 2 - 1 Palace
Deulofeu goes off and Tom Cleverley makes an appearance. Deulofeu takes his sweet time going off though.
90 mins: Watford 2 - 1 Palace
4 added minutes. 4 minutes for Watford to hold on to this slender lead. 4 minutes for Palace to get back into the game.
90+4 mins: Watford 2 - 1 Palace
They've done it! Watford are through to the FA Cup semi-finals. It's been 83 years since Watford beat Crystal Palace three times in a row and what a win.
Although they were the better side in the first half, Palace responded well in the second and scored the equaliser.
But it was super-sub Andre Gray that squeezed the ball past Guaita to send Watford through to Wembley!
Heurelho Gomes is close to tears as he walks around the pitch, thanking the fans. He may have just payed his last match at Vicarage Road and he's caught up in the emotion.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments