Palace and United to clash in FA Cup final

4/24/2016 6:05:42 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Crystal Palace set up a repeat of the 1990 FA Cup final against Manchester United after Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham securd a 2-1 victory over Watford at Wembley on Sunday.

Bolasie headed in Yohan Cabaye's corner to put Palace in front after six minutes and they should have built on their advantage before halftime against Watford.

Troy Deeney sparked the semifinal into life with Watford's equaliser nine minutes after halftime but they were only level for seven minutes. Wickham stretched to meet a cross from Pape Souare and his header flew beyond the reach of flat-footed Watford keeper Costel Pantilimon who was slow to react.

Watford mounted some late pressure and there were a few anxious moments for Palace in stoppage time but they deservedly held on to set up a season finale against United who they lost to in a replay in their only other FA Cup final.

On Saturday night Anthony Martial darted through the Everton defence slotted in Manchester United's winner and continued his run past the Wembley Stadium stewards before launching himself into the crowd.

It was a flash of pure elation after being so cool under pressure to score in the third minute of stoppage time and send United into their first FA Cup final in nine years with a 2-1 victory over Everton.

Martial created Marouane Fellaini's first-half opener but that was canceled out by Chris Smalling's own goal and the semifinal was heading to extra time.

Martial's match-winning moment demonstrated why United were willing to commit up to 80 million euros ($90 million) last year on acquiring a largely unproven teenager who is now 20 and a France international forward. "When you see the joy in the eyes of the players that is fantastic to see" United manager Louis van Gaal said.

Winning soccer's oldest knockout competition could yet provide Van Gaal with a glorious end to another underwhelming season.

The Dutchman could deliver on May 21 the club's first major trophy since Alex Ferguson retired.

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