Bolasie and Wickham put Palace in FA Cup final by thwarting Watford

Good value for their advantage, Palace proved to be the main danger to themselves with Joel Ward relieved to turn behind a dangerous Allan Nyon centre. Cabaye then saw a cross-shot from a half-cleared corner punched away by Watford cup keeper Costel Pantilimon.

Etienne Capoue came off worst in a clash and had to go off with a knee problem, but the Hornets went close to creating a clear-cut chance when Deeney’s first-time through-ball almost found strike partner Odion Igahlo. Delaney did just enough in the challenge to off-balance the Nigeria forward.

Nathan Ake was perhaps fortunate not to concede a late first-half penalty when he handled Wilfried Zaha cross, but referee Craig Pawson and his linesman appeared to miss the incident. The Eagles went in ahead regardless.

Quick-fire goals after interval

Bolasie drew a fine stop from a tight angle out of Pantilimon five minutes after half-time when getting clear down the left flank, bur Palace were pegged back by Deeney.

Rising to meet a Jose Manuel Jurado corner, the Hornets skipper simply showed more aerial strength than Scott Dann. Quique Sanchez Flores’ side were only on even terms briefly, however.

Not to be outdone, Wickham nodded in a powerful winner, out-muscling Ake as Pape Souare was allowed to cross into the box after exchanging passes from a simple throw-in.

Zaha, switched to the left when Pardew withdrew Bolasie, ran almost the entire length of the pitch with chalk on his boots, but a tame finish saw Watford get away unscathed from this counter-attack.

Palace preparing for Red Devils reunion

Ighalo and Jurado wasted Hornets half-chances to equalise again, and sub Adlene Guedioura did likewise in stoppage time as the Eagles held on for a famous Wembley win

Pardew must now plot to do what he could not achieve as a player, and the history of the Palace v Man Utd fixture in cup competitions has history.

Much more recent than coming up short in that 1990 replay after coming up short in the original tie which ended up a 3-3 thriller, the Eagles embarrassed the Red Devils in a League Cup clash back in 2011 with Darren Ambrose’s headline-grabbing goal and a late Glenn Murray winner.

It is the spirit of that Old Trafford upset that Pardew must try to invoke when meeting Louis van Gaal’s Man Utd on May 21st. Palace are 4/1 outsiders with Coral to lift the FA Cup in 90 minutes.

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