Road to Wembley

As Crystal Palace and Manchester United prepare to meet in Saturday’s FA Cup final, we look back on their journeys to Wembley…

CRYSTAL PALACEThird round – v Southampton (A) 1-2

Crystal Palace’s FA Cup campaign began with a trip to the south coast to face Premier League rivals Southampton. Alan Pardew’s side took the lead through Joel Ward’s first-half strike but the hosts hit back through Oriol Romeu. Palace’s lead was restored when Wilfried Zaha volleyed past Saints goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg to book his side’s place in round four.

What Pardew said: “As resilient and tenacious as we were, we had a bit of luck but we go on to the next game. Unless I get dragged into that bottom four or five [of the Premier League], it will be my strongest team in every round. I want to win it.”

Fourth round – v Stoke City (H) 1-0

Palace were up against another Premier League side in Stoke but this time they were in front of their own fans at Selhurst Park. Zaha was the match-winner again, scoring the only goal of the game as Palace secured a place in the fifth round.

What Pardew said: “Lesser teams than the quality I have have won this competition in recent years. We’ve got the talent to win it.”

Fifth round – v Tottenham (A) 0-1

Pardew’s men were on the road again, this time facing an in-form Tottenham side. And again, a 1-0 win was enough to send Palace to a first FA Cup quarter-final since 1995. This time a first goal since November 2011 from Martin Kelly sealed the victory.

What Pardew said: “I said to the players in the dressing room, ‘You won’t know the effect and the impact the FA Cup has until you reach the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. Then you understand the romance of this competition’.”

Quarter-final – v Reading (A) 0-2

Struggling for form in the Premier League, Palace traveled to Reading, bidding to reach a first FA Cup semi-final in 21 years. Palace were still without a league win in 2016 but they put those troubles behind them as late goals from Yohan Cabaye and Fraizer Campbell booked the Eagles a trip to Wembley.

What Pardew said: “A semi-final in the Cup brings an excitement to you, and we hope that rubs off on our league form.”

Semi-final – v …

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