Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Michael Jones

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

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.

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the FA Cup and Premier League and a packed Saturday of action.
 
First up, Watford vs Crystal Palace for a place in the semi-finals of the world's oldest cup competition.

Watford saw off non-league Woking before victories against Newcastle and QPR, whilst Crystal Palace nudged past Grimsby, shocked Tottenham and breezed past Doncaster. 

If the Hornets want a short trip to Wembley, they’ll have to be weary of the Palace’s threat on the break. 

The Hornets are in good form though, and given they are sat comfortably in the top half, there’s no reason why they can’t throw everything at winning a trophy. 

We'll have all the latest updates for you from Vicarage Road so without further ado, off we go.

 

Watford vs Crystal Palace

Team news
 
Watford vs Crystal Palace
 
Here are some FA Cup stats for Watford.
 
They have progressed from their last three FA Cup quarter-final ties, in 2003, 2007 and 2016.
 
Neither Watford nor Crystal Palace have conceded a goal in this season's competition. Watford have faced 21 shots and Palace 42.
 
Another clean sheet today and the Hornets could equal the club FA Cup record of four consecutive clean sheets.
 
 
Watford vs Crystal Palace
 
Crystal Palace have won their last three FA Cup quarter-finals but all against lower-league opponents. 
 
They lost their last two last-eight ties against top-flight opposition: Everton in 1907 and Leeds United in 1965
 
Like Watford, Palace could equal the club FA Cup record of four consecutive clean sheets, set in 1924.
 
Roy Hodgson has been in two FA Cup quarter-finals as a manager and has lost both with Fulham. In 2009 against Manchester United and in 2010 against Tottenham.
 
 
 
 

Watford vs Crystal Palace

Both managers have been speaking up about the FA Cup, here's what they had to say: 

Watford head coach Javi Gracia: "It's something different, something special. We are so close to playing in a semi-final. We feel it and know it's important.

"It is a very good chance for us but also Palace as well. Playing against Palace is always very demanding. All the games have been very, very close. We have to be ready knowing it will be a very close game again."

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson: "Of course it would be a wonderful thing to do, to win the FA Cup, but there's a lot to do before we can even hope to achieve that.

"The final is the stuff of which dreams are made of. We have to confront reality and the present when it comes to the match with Watford, knowing full-well, if we want to see a dream come true, we've got to get through that Watford game."

 

Watford vs Crystal Palace

Team news

Watford make eight changes to the side that lost to Manchester City last weekend. Kiko Femenia, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue are only players to retain their starting places.

Roberto Pereyra, Gerard Deulofeu, Will Hughes and skipper Troy Deeney all return to bolster the front line.

Roy Hodgson makes three changes to the Crystal Palace side which lost to Brighton last Saturday. Martin Kelly, Cheikhou Kouyate and Max Meyer all come into the starting line-up.

Scott Dann, Patrick van Aanholt and Wilfried Zaha miss out completely.

 
The beauty of the FA Cup is still alive...
Crystal Palace are up for it today... 
Watford vs Crystal Palace
 
Watford and Palace have faced each other twice already this season. The Hornets winning both matches 2-1.
 
Will it be a repeat result today?
 
 
No Zaha for Crystal Palace due to injury, here's what Roy Hodgson had to say about the striker and a potential trip to Wembley:

"Wilf Zaha came off with a tight hamstring against Brighton and we had been nursing it all week. Unfortunately he didn't come through a test on Thursday.

"When you get this far you see the Wembley towers in front of you and you dream of getting there.

"I've never reached a semi-final in England, so here's an opportunity for the players to elevate me to a new milestone in my career, which would be very nice if they do!"

Five minutes until kick off, it's been 83 years since Palace lost three games in a row to Watford. Will that change today?
KICK OFF
Watford 0 - 0 Palace
 
Watford start the match and work the ball forward quickly, Palace aren't troubled as they win it and send it down the right wing.
3 mins: Watford 0 - 0 Palace
 
Lots of movement in mid-field from both teams but no real penetration. Pereyra makes a run down the left wing for Watford and gets the ball, he runs it into the box but Tomkins covers him and forces him back out wide. His cross doesn't beat the first man and Palace clear away the danger. 
6 mins: Watford 0 - 0 Palace
 
Palace win the ball back and send it to Townsend on the left hand side. Townsend brings the ball to the edge of the box and gives it to Milivojevic who puts the ball onto his right foot and strikes it low. Gomes dives to his right a palms it away. 
9 mins: Watford 0 - 0 Palace
 
Palace try to walk the ball through the centre of Watford's defence, McArthur slots the ball into Batshuayi but the former Chelsea man isn't allowed the turn in the box and is forced out. Palace try to hold the attack together but a sloppy pass gives away the ball. 
12 mins: Watford 0 - 0 Palace
 
Doucoure wins a free kick off Milivojevic and Watford have the chance to get some bodies into the box. Holebas dinks it into the box, Hughes goes down looking for a penalty but the ref is having none of it. The ball sails over everyone and goes out for a goal kick.
15 mins: Watford 0 - 0 Palace
 
Wan-Bissaka gets in front of Holebas and receives the ball on the right wing. He runs it forward and crosses the ball. Townsend and Batshuayi make runs into the box and the cross comes to Batshuayi who jumps but can't reach the ball with a header. 
18 mins: Watford 0 - 0 Palace
 
Palace make a mess of clearing the ball from their own box and Deulofeu brings the ball down with a class touch, turns quickly and fires a shot at goal from a tight angle on the right. Guaita covers the near post and makes a good save.
21 mins: Watford 0 - 0 Palace
 
Milivojevic floats a free kick into the box but Gomes comes out and claims it. Gomes boots it long hoping to find Deeney but Guaita bombs out of his area and hits the ball to Pereyra. Pereyra runs down the left and whips a cross into the box but Milivojevic tracks back and heads it away. 
24 mins: Watford 0 - 0 Palace
 
Holebas delivers a corner for Watford but it's flicked over Capoue and out to Hughes. Hughes does well on the right, keeping the ball alive and putting it back into the box. Palace are under pressure but they hold the defensive line well and get the ball out to Deulofeu. Deulofeu runs it back into the box, gives it to Deeney who crosses it and wins a corner.

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load

Keep up to date with all the latest news with expert comment and analysis from our award-winning writers

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.