FA Cup

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FA Cup | Semi-Finals

Apr 24, 2016 at 4pm UK

Crystal Palace
2-1
Watford

Bolasie (6'), Wickham (61')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Deeney (55')

Alan Pardew calls for Crystal Palace "hero"

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 22 April 2016

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew wants one of his players to make themselves "the hero" in their FA Cup semi-final against Watford on Sunday afternoon.

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has called for one of his players to become "the hero" for the London club this weekend.

On Sunday, Palace will face Watford at Wembley for a position in the FA Cup final next month.

As a player, Pardew scored an extra-time winner against Liverpool in 1990 to take Palace to their first and only FA Cup final, and the 54-year-old has challenged one of his players to step forward in the semi-final.

"One of them could end up like I was as a player. As a manager you are never going to be the hero. The real hero is going to be the one who scores the winning goal or has a great game. That is who the fans remember," Pardew told reporters.

"And I want it to be James McArthur or Yohan Cabaye or Wilfried Zaha or Yannick Bolasie. I want it to be one of my players. They have that opportunity and I really hope it comes to one of our players."

The first FA Cup semi-final will be contested between Everton and Manchester United on Saturday.