Match Facts
- Date – 24th April 2016
- Venue – Wembley Stadium
- Attendance – 79,110
- Referee – Craig Pawson
- Bookings – Dann, Suarez, Jurado, Deeney
- Goals – Bolasie (6), Deeney (55), Wickham (61)
- Star Eagle – Mile Jedinak (8.2)
Match Review
Crystal Palace will face Manchester United in what is to be a repeat of the 1990 FA Cup final after overcoming Watford in the semi final thanks to goals from Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham.
The last time the two sides met in such a big occasion was the 2013 play off final. Palace were victorious that day, and on Sunday they were much better than their counterparts for the majority of the match.
It was the first first semi final for the Eagles since 1995 and the fans came out in force as they painted Wembley red and blue, cheering on the players from start to finish.
The prize for the victors was United after they beat Everton on Saturday thanks to a last minute winner from Anthony Martial.
Palace started well, as Wilfried Zaha and Bolasie took the game to the side from Vicarage Road, and just after the fifth minute the South Londoners had the lead.
Yohan Cabaye floated in a corner, Damien Delaney with the flick on and Bolasie was there to nod in at the far post sending the Palace fans in the east corner of the iconic stadium into utter delirium.
The corner certainly had shades of the 1990 semi final goal in which Alan Pardew scored to send the Eagles through to the final against United.
Watford were really struggling to get their star strikers Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo into the game, largely due to Palace’s all action start. And then when Palace had possession they were looking to Zaha, Bolasie, and Wickham to cause damage at the other end, and it was the mercurial Zaha who in particular was giving Nathan Ake a torrid time.
The first half ended with Palace on top, Cabaye had a shot in which Costel Pantillimon was equal to, but Palace deservedly were in front as the whistle blew.
The second half started with the majority of the Palace fans knowing Watford had to get better, and although Palace started on the front foot again, Watford struggled to counteract Palace’s pace and power.
The ever threatening Bolasie nearly doubled Palace’s lead as he left Miguel Britos for dead and raced into the box only to fire straight at Pantillimon.
It was not long after Bolasie’s chance that Deeney equalised. His neat header from a corner evaded Scott Dann and Wayne Hennessey as he put the Hornets back into the contest.
It was only after their goal that Watford came alive, Ighalo was more of a threat and the link-up play with Deeney was more evident. But Palace weathered the storm and were back in front thanks to a superb header from man of the moment Wickham.
The former Sunderland man has had a stop start season, but at Wembley he rose highest to meet Pape Souare’s pin point cross. The effort was inch perfect and Pantillimon despairingly dived as he tried to claw the effort away. He could not and Palace’s dream of a cup final was back on.
Towards the end of the game, Palace were defending well and a moment in the match typified the commitment to the cause, when four Palace players were shrewn out across the Wembley turf as they tried to repel a Watford attack.
The Eagles held on for what was a fantastic victory. Now United await in the final on May 21. Is revenge for 1990 well and truly on the cards?
TEB Verdict
Another incredible experience at Wembley for Palace fans which echo the very same feelings of those old enough to remember Villa Park all those years ago. The fans did South London proud and the players on the pitch put in a performance to match. Wembley twice in one season? Oh, go on then …
Player Ratings (courtesy of Who Scored)
- Wayne Hennessey (6.2) – Did not have much to do, ball came at him quickly for the goal and was past him before he knew anything about it.
- Joel Ward (6.5) – Solid game, defended well against the tricky Jurado, and when the time was right joined the attack.
- Scott Dann (6.2) – Another assured performance, the rating does not really do him justice. Along with Delaney, stepped up on the big occasion.
- Damien Delaney (7.7) – The Irishman was superb, was the one who looked to win the tough aerial presence of Deeney, and when he had to he defended smartly against the quick and intelligent Ighalo.
- Pape Souare (7.4) – His cross was scored by Wickham, and he had another good game. Excellent going forward, but also stepped up when he had to defend.
- Mile Jedinak (8.2) – It was a true captain’s performance, the bearded Aussie was everywhere. Shielded the back four manfully and lead from the front.
- Yohan Cabaye (6.8) – Cabaye was busy, looked like he had the job of marking compatriot Capoue before he left the field. Provided that calming influence in the game, which was needed.
- Jason Puncheon (7.0) – Deployed on the wing, but managed to influence the game. Ball retention was great in tight areas, and he done the dirty work also. Replaced by Bakary Sako (6.0) on 81 minutes who did not have much time to make an impact on the game.
- Wilfried Zaha (6.7) – Electric in the first half, at every opportunity he wanted to take defenders on. Did not receive the ball much in the second half but when he did he made it count.
- Yannick Bolasie (7.6) – After sitting out of the game in 2013, he wanted to make up for lost time, and his finish set the ball rolling. A constant threat but replaced by James McArthur (6.4) on 74 minutes who came on and shored up the midfield to see out the game.
- Connor Wickham (7.5) – Superb performance from someone who has had a injury hit season. Header was inch perfect and proved to be the winning goal. Replaced by Emmanuel Adebayor (6.1) on 86 minutes, the experienced striker making a brief cameo to provide some fresh legs.
Unused substitutes – Julian Speroni, Martin Kelly, Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley
Match Statistics (courtesy of Who Scored)
The Who Scored man of the match was Mile Jedinak (8.1) while four players shared the most shots (3) – Yannick Bolasie, Connor Wickham, Jurado, Troy Deeney. Making the most tackles was Nathan Ake (6) and the most dribbles were made by both Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha (3).
- Team rating: 6.90 – 6.66
- Total shots: 10 – 13
- Shots on target: 6 – 2
- Possession: 47.5% – 52.5%
- Pass success: 74% – 72%
- Aerials won: 28 – 19
- Dribbles: 11 – 7
- Tackles: 17 – 25
- Corners: 7 – 7
- Dispossessed: 19 – 13
