Watford are into their first FA Cup final since 1984 after coming from behind to pip Wolverhampton Wanderers in the semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.
Wolves actually made much the better start and found themselves ahead in the 36th minute when Matt Doherty headed home Diogo Jota’s cross at the far post…
Nuno Espirito Santos’ side then pushed further ahead when Raul Jimenez smartly brought down Doherty’s searching ball with his chest and promptly volleyed it past Heurelho Gomes from close range…
The Mexican striker, who recently turned his loan stint at Molineux into a £32million permanent stay, then celebrated by retrieving a Wolves-themed luchador mask from behind the goal and slipping it on…
Needing an timely injection of something/anything, Javi Gracia sent Gerard Deulofeu on for Will Hughes in the 66th minute.
Sure enough, the flighty Spanish winger pulled one back for Watford in the 79th minute when he tucked a slinky little lob into the far top corner to haul the Hornets back into the running…
A tireless grafter from the off, Troy Deeney was finally afforded a shot on goal in the 94th minute after winning himself a penalty at the very death.
Extra time was duly ushered in as the Watford target man absolutely leathered his spot-kick past John Ruddy to level things up at the death…
The comeback (two goals down with 11 minutes remaining) was then completed in extra time when Deulofeu struck again, calmly adding a slotted finish to a Watford break in the 104th minute…
After proving what would prove to be the winning goal, Deulofeu was then subbed off again just before full time with a knee injury having turned the tide of the game entirely during his memorable 46-minute long cameo.
What a game, and so nice to have an FA Cup semi-final that might stick in the mind for longer than a few weeks.
Watford will now play Man City in the final at Wembley on 18th May after Pep Guardiola’s men mustered a 1-0 win over Brighton in the first semi to keep their quadruple tilt alive.