Crystal Palace and Watford went head-to-head for a spot in the FA Cup final on Sunday afternoon at Wembley.
It was Palace that struck first in London - Yannick Bolasie heading home in just the sixth minute of action.
Watford improved in the second half, however, and were level in the 55th minute courtesy of Troy Deeney.
Palace were back ahead six minutes later when Connor Wickham found the bottom corner though and that proved enough to send Alan Pardew's side into the FA Cup final, where they will meet Manchester United next month.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live FA Cup semi-final coverage continues from Wembley as Crystal Palace take on Watford. Manchester United beat Everton 2-1 on Saturday to book their spot in the final – but who will join them? Neither Palace nor Watford have ever won the FA Cup, but they are mightily close to the final. Let's hope for an entertaining clash between these two Premier League rivals!
In terms of the head-to-head record – these two teams have met on 112 occasions in all competitions. Palace have recorded 46 wins, Watford 41, while the remaining 25 fixtures have finished level. This season, Palace recorded a 1-0 victory in their Premier League clash at Vicarage Road in September, before Watford won 2-1 at Selhurst Park in February. Today is the big one though!
Palace have actually won seven of their last 11 meetings with Watford in all competitions, but Watford have only lost one of their previous six FA Cup ties with Palace and that came in the fifth round of the 1994-95 competition. Right, enough of that for now – let me bring you the confirmed team news...
TEAMS:
PALACE: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Puncheon, Cabaye, Jedinak; Zaha, Wickham, Bolasie
WATFORD: Pantilimon; Nyom, Britos, Cathcart, Ake; Abdi, Capoue, Watson, Jurado; Deeney, Ighalo
No real surprises in the Palace XI for this semi-final, with head coach Alan Pardew selecting Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie either side of Connor Wickham in the final third. Mile Jedinak will skipper the Eagles from the middle of the park, while Jason Puncheon is also given a role in the midfield. Joe Ledley and Emmanuel Adebayor are both among the substitutes for Palace this afternoon.
As for Watford, Quique Sanchez has kept faith with his FA Cup goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, with the 29-year-old starting ahead of number one Heurelho Gomes. Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo both missed the defeat at West Ham United during the week, but the pair return in the final third this afternoon. Ben Watson also returns to the XI, while Nathan Ake has been picked at left-back ahead of Jose Holebas.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now little under 45 minutes from kickoff on this sunny afternoon in London. As mentioned, it is Man United that are waiting in the final for one of these two teams. A pulsating semi-final on Saturday saw French teenager Anthony Martial score late on against Everton to send the Red Devils through courtesy of a 2-1 success. It was a wonderful occasion and we will be in for some game if this semi-final lives up to yesterday's contest!
Palace are in their first FA Cup semi-final since 1995, when they lost 2-0 to Man United in a replay. They did reach the final of this competition in 1990, but Man United also triumphed on that occasion following a replay. The good news for Palace is that there will be no replay of this semi-final, but the bad news is that the Eagles have only won one of their four semi-finals in the FA Cup.
Palace's run to the semi-finals is even more impressive when considering that they have had to overcome fellow Premier League opposition in three of their four FA Cup ties this season. Pardew's side beat Southampton, Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur to make the quarter-finals of the competition, before overcoming Championship outfit Reading in March to book their spot in the final four. Impressively, Palace have only actually conceded one FA Cup goal this season and that was back in January.
Should Palace record another clean sheet this afternoon, they would have kept four successive shut-outs in the FA Cup for the first time since 1924. Success in this competition would be massive, but there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disappointing 2016 in the Premier League.
Indeed, at the turn of the year, Palace were in contention for a top-four position and looked capable of at least finishing in the top half of the table. They have only won one league match in 2016, however, and that came against struggling Norwich City earlier this month. They are not not going to be relegated this season, but 16th position at this stage of the campaign shows their struggles.
Pardew's side, who have lost 16 of their 35 league games this season, will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 defeat at Man United on Wednesday night. They did pick up a point at Arsenal last weekend, however, and as mentioned, have won seven of their last 11 meetings with Watford in all competitions and only suffered one defeat. It is difficult to know which Palace will turn-up game-to-game!
As for Watford, the Hornets have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2006-07 season, when they lost 4-1 to Man United. They have actually been beaten on four of their last five games at this stage of the competition, but did beat Plymouth Argyle to reach the final in 1984.
Like Palace, Watford have only conceded one FA Cup goal this season and they have had to beat two Premier League sides to make the semi-finals of the competition. Wins over Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United took Sanchez's side into the quarter-finals, where they recorded an impressive and indeed surprising 2-1 win at the holders Arsenal to advance into the final four.
Also much like Palace, Watford's league form has taken a turn for the worse in recent months. They have only won one of their last eight in the top flight and that disappointing run of form has seen them drop into 12th position in the table. They are 11 points clear of the relegation zone and certain of another season of Premier League football, however, and that represents an impressive campaign for Sanchez.
There is currently a six-point gap between 10th-place Stoke City and 12th-place Watford, but a finish towards the top of the bottom half of the table and a spot in the final of the FA Cup would have to go down as a successful season for a team that were in the Championship last term. Whoever wins this match will be the underdogs against Man United, but the Red Devils have not actually won the FA Cup since 2004. The atmosphere is really building as we approach kickoff in the capital!
PREDICTION! I just have a feeling for Palace this afternoon. It really is a 50/50 match, but I look at the two teams and just think that Palace have a bit more about them all over the park. Deeney and Ighalo will be key for Watford, but I am backing Bolasie to have the final say in a Palace win.
Just a reminder of the two teams for this afternoon's semi-final...
PALACE: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Puncheon, Cabaye, Jedinak; Zaha, Wickham, Bolasie
WATFORD: Pantilimon; Nyom, Britos, Cathcart, Ake; Abdi, Capoue, Watson, Jurado; Deeney, Ighalo
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first period of this FA Cup semi-final. It is a massive football match for both of these clubs. Who will make next month's final? I just hope that it matches yesterday's clash between Man United and Everton, which was brilliant!
KICKOFF! As expected, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Both clubs are well-represented in the stands - that is for sure. It is Palace that get this FA Cup semi-final underway here...
... both teams are in their home strips this afternoon, but Palace are, technically, the home side in this match. I will just keep a close eye on Zaha in the opening minutes here - the Englishman was holding his hamstring in the warm-up and it had been feared that he would be ruled out ahead of kickoff!
Goalkeeper to goalkeeper as Hennessey sends a massive kick towards Pantilimon and the Watford stopper claims ahead of Bolasie, who looked to jump and make it awkward for the 29-year-old.
Good work from Cathcart as the Watford centre-back clears ahead of Wickham, who looked favourite to meet a cross from Zaha. It is Palace on the front foot in the early exchanges here.
Both teams are committing players forward in the early exchanges, but as expected, there is a little bit of nervousness in the final third. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. Both sets of supporters continue to create a strong atmosphere inside the stadium.
GOAL! Palace 1-0 Watford (Bolasie)
Breakthrough! Palace open the scoring in the sixth minute as Delaney's near-post header finds Bolasie, who keeps his eye on the ball and nods home at the far post. Not sure about the defending from Watford or where Pantilimon was going from that corner, but Palace have the lead here!
Watford have not really settled in the opening nine minutes and it is Palace that are very much on the front foot. Bolasie continues to impress as he attacks Nyom down the left and wins a throw-in.
Better from Watford as Abdi is allowed to race down the right and the number 22 wins a corner from Puncheon, who has been forced a little deeper in the last couple of minutes. The resulting set piece is delivered towards the middle of the Palace box, but Jedinak produces a wonderful clearance.
Just a few signs that Watford are starting to warm to their task this afternoon as Abdi continues to break down the right. The Hornets need a little bit more from the likes of Ighalo and Deeney here.
It will be interesting to see when the referee issues the first yellow card of the match. The official has allowed a couple of late challenges to go unpunished in the opening 16 minutes of action.
Deeney has a pop from distance, but his strike was never troubling the Palace stopper there.
CLOSE! Much, much better from Watford as Nyom delivers a sensational cross towards the far post and Ward only just turns behind his own post. Might well have been an own-goal there!
Palace made the brighter start and deserved to take the lead, but Watford are the better team at the moment as they continue to ask questions of this Palace defence. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this afternoon due to the attacking talent that we have on the field.
Palace threaten once again as Cabaye finds all sorts of space in a wide area before whipping a cross towards the far post, but Pantilimon gets a strong hand on the ball and Watford clear their lines.
Palace have a free kick in a dangerous area as Nyom brings Puncheon to the deck...
... Cabaye goes for goal, but it was always a comfortable save for Pantilimon.
Nyom commits another foul and the Watford right-back is lucky to escape a booking here!
Watford seem to be conceding an incredible amount of set pieces at the moment as Palace continue to deliver corners and free kicks into the penalty area. The opening 26 minutes have flown past here!
Watford have a problem here as Capoue goes down holding his knee - it does not look great!
It does appear that Capoue will continue, but the midfielder is not at all comfortable and that will be one to watch in the next few minutes. Watford do not want to be losing Capoue at this stage.
Capoue hits the deck again and Watford are going to need to make a change here.
WATFORD SUB! Mario Suarez replaces Capoue, who is not in good shape.
We are going to have a healthy amount of stoppage time at the end of this first period, that is for sure. I would be surprised if Capoue played again this season due to the nature of that injury. There was no real contact, but the midfielder's knee seemed to twist and that could be ligament damage.
Ake is fortunate to escape a yellow card for a late challenge on Zaha and the referee has allowed a number of tackles to go unpunished in the opening 35 minutes. Not too much to report in terms of chances since play resumed following that Capoue injury, which interrupted the flow of the match.
Strong goalkeeping from Hennessey as the Palace stopper comes out and just beats Ighalo to the ball. Much better from Watford, who finally moved the ball quicker in the final third of the field.
Delaney has just taken one flush in the face from Jurado! Almost took the defender's head off!
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining in this FA Cup semi-final, but there will be three or four minutes of added time following that injury to Capoue. Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes as both teams continue to huff and puff in the final third of the field.
BOOKING! Jurado (Watford) is booked for a late challenge on Zaha.
Nyom makes ground down the right for Watford and manages to squeeze a cross into the box, but Hennessey is on hand to collect. Still 1-0 Palace as we approach the end of the first period here.
Zaha's cross hits Ake on the hand and Palace want a spot kick, but it would have been very harsh and neither the referee nor the linesman were interested. Palace pressure as we approach the break.
We are into the first of four additional minutes at the end of the first period.
Watford are going to need to change something at the break because they have really struggled to make their mark on this semi-final. Palace are pretty comfortable as things stand in London.
Not too much happening in either half of the field as we approach the break.
HALF-TIME: Palace 1-0 Watford
In all honesty, that was not a great first period! The referee brings the first 45 minutes to a close with Palace leading 1-0 courtesy of an early Bolasie header, but Watford have been very disappointing in the final third. At the moment, Palace are going to stumble into the final of the 2016 FA Cup!
STATS! Palace have just about shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had three attempts - two of which were on target. Watford, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with any of their four attempts, which is an indication of their struggles. Just the one booking - Jurado for the Hornets.
BENCH WATCH! Palace have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Adebayor, Gayle and Sako all capable of making a difference. Watford, meanwhile, have already been forced to introduce Suarez in place of the injured Capoue, but Sanchez Flores still has Anya and Behrami in reserve. Something needs to change for Watford in the second 45 minutes.
I backed Bolasie to have a big say on this semi-final and that has been the case thus far...
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Watford improve on their first-half performance? We shall see! The Hornets resume the action here...
... no changes from either manager at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both Pardew and Sanchez Flores will have alterations in mind for the second period.
Watford get away with one there as Britos appears to bring Wickham to the ground just outside the box. Pardew is furious and too right as well - very clumsy defending from Britos in that moment.
Half-chance for Watford as Deeney meets a cross from Nyom, but the striker's header was always moving over the crossbar. Much better from the Hornets, who were poor in the first 45 minutes.
SAVE! Wonderful chance for Palace to score a second as Bolasie races away from the Watford defence before attempting to beat Pantilimon from a narrow angle, but the save is made!
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Watford are doing their best to make something happen, but Palace will relish playing on the counter-attack here due to the pace of Zaha and Bolasie.
BOOKING! Dann (Palace) is booked for bringing Ighalo to the deck.
Watson strikes the resulting set piece and his effort deflects wide of the post for a corner-kick.
GOAL! Palace 1-1 Watford (Deeney)
Oh it had to be him! We are all level in this semi-final as Deeney rises to head a Jurado corner into the back of the net from close range. The Hornets skipper wanted it more than his marker Dann!
WATFORD SUB! Guedioura replaces Abdi in Watford's second change.
Oh how football can change! Palace have been the better team for long periods of this semi-final, but it is now Watford on the front foot as we approach the final 30 minutes of normal time here.
Palace boss Pardew is yet to use his bench this afternoon, but I suspect that he will be considering alterations as the hour mark passes. Souare decides to have a go from distance, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Not sure Cabaye was too pleased, with the Frenchman in space!
GOAL! Palace 2-1 Watford (Wickham)
Palace are back ahead! Watford are stunned here as Wickham rises above Ake inside the box to angle a brilliant header into the bottom corner. The cross came from Souare and Wickham did the rest!
In truth, the first period of this semi-final was quite poor, but the second half thus far has been brilliant. Both teams are throwing players forward and it is creating an open and entertaining match!
Deeney races away from the Palace defence, but the striker just does not have the pace to follow it through and eventually Palace have players back to clear the danger. It is very lively at the moment!
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match and Watford will continue to commit players forward as the clock runs down. Still no movement on the Palace bench at the moment.
Just a reminder that Man United are waiting for one of these two teams in the final following their late victory over Everton in Saturday's semi-final. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but Ighalo and Deeney are starting to see more of the ball for Watford here.
Both managers are preparing changes - McArthur for Palace and Anya for Watford.
PALACE SUB! McArthur replaces Bolasie in Palace's first change.
Little under 15 minutes of normal time remaining and we are getting to the stage of the match where Watford will need to start over-loading each time that they break forward. Still 2-1 Palace here.
Half-chance for Palace as Zaha picks out Cabaye on the edge of the box, but his effort is straight at Pantilimon and Watford can break forward once again. I still fancy that there is another goal in this!
CHANCE! Wonderful pace from Zaha as the Palace attacker runs past three defenders before advancing into the Watford box, but Cathcart manages to make a last-ditch challenge before Wickham's strike is blocked. Palace are going to be such a threat on the counter here!
BOOKING! Suarez (Watford) is booked for a late challenge on Cabaye.
PALACE SUB! Sako replaces Puncheon for Palace.
CLOSE! Ighalo fires over the Palace crossbar after finding space inside the box!
WATFORD SUB! Anya replaces Nyom for Watford.
SAVE! Hennessey gets down to keep out a low strike from Jurado.
PALACE SUB! Adebayor replaces Wickham in Palace's final change.
Zaha hits the side-netting for Palace after smart work from Adebayor.
Time is running out for Watford as they continue to huff and puff in the final third. Ake delivers into the Palace box, but Zaha makes the block and more seconds tick away in this semi-final.
BOOKING! Deeney (Watford) is booked for a heavy challenge on Jedinak.
FIVE ADDITIONAL MINUTES!
CLOSE! Guedioura just volleys wide of the post following pin-ball inside the Palace box!
Ward smashes the ball down-field, but it will come straight back from Watford.
Palace have possession inside the Watford half as time ticks on here.
Less than 60 seconds left and Watford have a goal kick!
FULL-TIME: Palace 2-1 Watford
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close and Palace have advanced to the final of the FA Cup, where they will meet Manchester United! It is Palace's first FA Cup final since 1990 when their opponents were.. Man United! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action!
