Match report

Watford Defeats Crystal Palace 2-1 in FA Cup Thriller

Watford
Watford
2–1
FT
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace
Mar 16, 2019

Watford stunned Crystal Palace with a hard-fought 2-1 victory in their FA Cup encounter, showcasing their resilience and tactical flexibility. Étienne Capoue and Andre Gray scored the decisive goals, ensuring Watford's progression in the competition. Despite a brief resurgence by Crystal Palace through Michy Batshuayi's goal, Watford's solid defense and strategic substitutions ultimately secured their place in the next round.

Key Facts

  • • Watford: Étienne Capoue (27') and Andre Gray (79')
  • • Crystal Palace: Michy Batshuayi (62')
  • • Yellow Cards: Luka Milivojević (Crystal Palace), A. Masina (Watford)
  • • Substitutions: A. Masina on for José Holebas (46'), Andre Gray on for W. Hughes (77'), T. Cleverley on for Deulofeu (89')

Lineups

Watford

Formation: 4-2-2-2

Starting XI

  • 1 Gomes (G)
  • 6 A. Mariappa (D)
  • 25 J. Holebas (D)
  • 15 C. Cathcart (D)
  • 21 Kiko Femenía (D)
  • 29 E. Capoue (M)
  • 37 R. Pereyra (M)
  • 16 A. Doucouré (M)
  • 19 W. Hughes (M)
  • 9 T. Deeney (F)
  • 7 Deulofeu (F)

Substitutes

  • 11 A. Masina
  • 18 A. Gray
  • 8 T. Cleverley
  • 2 D. Janmaat
  • 10 I. Success
  • 27 C. Kabasele
  • 30 P. Dahlberg

Crystal Palace

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 31 Guaita (G)
  • 5 J. Tomkins (D)
  • 34 M. Kelly (D)
  • 15 J. Schlupp (M)
  • 29 A. Wan-Bissaka (D)
  • 18 J. McArthur (M)
  • 8 C. Kouyaté (M)
  • 10 A. Townsend (F)
  • 4 L. Milivojević (M)
  • 7 M. Meyer (M)
  • 23 M. Batshuayi (F)

Substitutes

  • 17 C. Benteke
  • 35 S. Woods
  • 2 J. Ward
  • 13 W. Hennessey
  • 14 J. Ayew
  • 21 C. Wickham
  • 44 J. Riedewald

Timeline

  1. Watford
    27' Watford Goal · Normal Goal
    Étienne Capoue · Assist: C. Cathcart
  2. Crystal Palace
    36' Crystal Palace Card · Yellow Card
    L. Milivojević
  3. Watford
    46' Watford subst · Substitution 1
    Off: José Holebas · On: A. Masina
  4. Watford
    57' Watford Card · Yellow Card
    A. Masina
  5. Crystal Palace
    62' Crystal Palace Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Batshuayi
  6. Watford
    77' Watford subst · Substitution 2
    Off: W. Hughes · On: Andre Gray
  7. Watford
    79' Watford Goal · Normal Goal
    Andre Gray · Assist: R. Pereyra
  8. Crystal Palace
    84' Crystal Palace subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. McArthur · On: C. Benteke
  9. Watford
    89' Watford subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Deulofeu · On: T. Cleverley

Match Stats

Stat Watford Crystal Palace
Fouls 11 9
Pass Accuracy 65% 72%
Offsides 1 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 11 13
Corners 8 4
Total Passes 298 405
Yellow Cards 1 1
Blocked Shots 2 3
Shots on Target 8 5
Shots off Target 1 5
Possession 43% 57%
Accurate Passes 193 290
Shots Inside Box 8 8
Saves 4 6
Shots Outside Box 3 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The opening goal by Étienne Capoue in the 27th minute gave Watford a crucial early lead, setting the tone for the game.
  • ▸ Andre Gray's second goal in the 79th minute after a fine assist from R. Pereyra sealed the win for Watford, despite Crystal Palace's efforts to equalize through Michy Batshuayi's goal in the 62nd minute.