FA Cup Final Gamethread

[candylandriots]

I really wanted to be the one to start this for my Eagles today. So excited for the game. I feel a little bit of an interloper being a supporter for only the last three seasons when so many others have waited so long for a game like this, but going to enjoy it anyway. Seeing Palace at Selhurst has really made me into a fan of the sport. I'm thrilled for the team and excited to see what they can do on such a big stage. My only regret is that I couldn't be there today. I'm guessing that the neutral spectator will be on our side today.

Here's my quick breakdown.

FA Cup Final Day

Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United

Palace will be the home team at Wembley today, wearing their red and blue. Man U will be in white.

After an amazing start to the season, Crystal Palace went on a 14 game winless streak. Their season was essentially salvaged by this incredible Cup run, mostly against Premier League sides. This is Palace's second ever final, losing to Man U in a replay back in 1990. Manchester United has won the FA Cup 11 times, last winning in 2004. Some say manager Louis Van Gaal's job is on the line today. Maybe a Cup win will save him, maybe not.

Despite that, no doubt today's game means much more to the fans (and players) from the South London club. With no major trophies in their 110 year history, this would be a major accomplishment -- and also get them into European football next season.

How They Got Here
Palace: Southampton 1, Palace 2 / Palace 1, Stoke 0 / Spurs 0, Palace 1 / Reading 0, Palace 2 / Palace 2, Watford 1
MU: MU 1, Sheffield United 0 / Derby 1, MU 3 / Shrewsbury 0, MU 3 / MU 3, WHU 2 (agg) / Everton 1, MU 2

Starting XI
Palace: Hennessey, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare, Bolasie, Cabaye, Jedinak, Zaha, Puncheon, Wickham
MU: DeGea, Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Rojo, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Mata, Rooney, Martial, Rashford

2015-2016 results: MU 0 - CRY 0 / CRY 0 - MU 2

Current odds: CRY +400, MU -130, RT Draw +245 / O/U 2

Look for Man U to dominate possession, rely on strong defense and talented strikers. Look for Palace to try and use their speed on the counterattack with wing play and by congesting the park in front of the back four.

My (very biased) prediction. Crystal Palace 2, Manchester United 1, MOTM Zaha

COYP!!

Good luck to @Bailey10 and @Zomp today. Enjoy the game guys.

 

[Zomp]

This is actually the only trophy Wayne Rooney has never won at the club level for United. Just because of that I'd really like to see it happen. I think Fellaini will start instead of Schneiderlin. The press are reporting Memphis isn't even in the 18 man squad.

 

[candylandriots]

Fellaini would make more sense I think. Watching him and Jedinak today ought to be fun.

 

[the1andonly3003]

is Fox using the feed with Ian Darke on the call? Or will they use Martin Tyler specifically for the US crowd?

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

I'm an Eagles fan today.

We're the pride of South London.
South London's number one.
Etc.

 

[candylandriots]

Really surprised to see that McArthur is instead of Puncheon today. Wonder if Punch is not fully fit.

 

[candylandriots]

I'm an Eagles fan today.

We're the pride of South London.
South London's number one.
Etc.

You know it's true
We're red and blue

 

[sachmoney]

The Palace support side looks great. A real party atmosphere.

 

[Zomp]

What's up with Wilfred Zaha

 

[Zomp]

Wtf is this

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Wtf is this

Seems like the Superbowlification of footie?

 

[sachmoney]

Looked like fun.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

That's a strong lineup for United.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

It's kind of weird to see a price sing the anthem -- God Save My Nana.

Clattenburg gets the game. Big month for him. He has the CL final.

I'm going with 2-1 Palace. Bolaise with the winner.

 

[sachmoney]

It's kind of weird to see a price sing the anthem -- God Save My Nana.

Clattenburg gets the game. Big month for him. He has the CL final.

I'm going with 2-1 Palace. Bolaise with the winner.

Dann with the first? Think he scores today.

 

[candylandriots]

Too bad no advantage play there

 

[fletcherpost]

Terrible decision by the ref not to give advantage.

Mon the Hibees.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

That was a great pass from Rashford.

 

[candylandriots]

Mark Clatteburg: advantage play is a thing.

 

[fletcherpost]

That's Pardew got his post match excuses if Palace lose.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

It's weird, because English refs all year have been allowed to signal advantage and then call it back after a second or two if it doesn't materialize.

 

[The Price Is Wrong]

It's weird, because English refs all year have been allowed to signal advantage and then call it back after a second or two if it doesn't materialize.

Yeah, I see that several times a game. Very strange.

Palace looks pretty dangerous out there. Zaha is relishing the opportunity to get the best of Rojo, via card or play.

 

[fletcherpost]

Palace have been pretty poor with what little ball they've had. Credit for Man U for making the pitch small when they don't have the ball, but Palace have been sloppy and lacked composure. The pluses are they aren't behind and might get a soft pen in the second half.

 

[candylandriots]

That wasn't a penalty on Zaha by Rooney, right?

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I didn't think so, but I'm more lenient than some.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Not obviously, but I don't know what a penalty is any more.

United is so deliberate. They seem like a race car with a restrictor plate. LVG should just let them loose.

Edit: I should say I heard them mention them seeming deliberately slow on radio and once I saw it, I couldn't not see it.

 

[Zomp]

I didn't think so either. Looked like Rooney got in front of him (you see Zahas arm outstretched on Rooney) and Zaha loses his balance.

Bit of a bore so far. Typical of the season.

 

[candylandriots]

That was a pretty weak yellow on Delaney

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Rojo is pretty important to Argentina's back line isn't he? Be a bit disappointing if a knock took him out of the Copa.

 

[fletcherpost]

He's sat on the bench now, so it can't be that serious or he'd be getting treatment.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

He's sat on the bench now, so it can't be that serious or he'd be getting treatment.

Good sign.

This is getting a bit rough. Several subs now in a game that could have another hour.

 

[ifmanis5]

YAS!

 

[sachmoney]

What a goal!

 

[candylandriots]

Yesssssssss!!!!!

 

[SoxFanInCali]

I don't think he's too disappointed about missing out on the start now.

 

[candylandriots]

I didn't react at first because I was sure he was offside. But he was not. Hold on boys!!!

 

[The Price Is Wrong]

I need a GIF of Alan Pardew dancing like that.

 

[fletcherpost]

Man, this isn't even that tense. Man Utd these days, take the tension out of the game. Or the joy. I know Palace have come to play on the counter attack, and are defending deep, but Man U can be fuckin turgid in attack.

 

[fletcherpost]

Oh My.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Who was that on United who kept him on side? Can't jog like that on an offside trap. That's a tired leg play.

 

[ifmanis5]

That was fast.

 

[sachmoney]

Game on.

 

[fletcherpost]

I need a GIF of Alan Pardew dancing like that.

What a Jakie bastard.

 

[candylandriots]

Well that didn't last long

 

[SoxFanInCali]

That's the kind of goal I was expecting would be the first one. Some good play in the buildup but a deflection into the goal.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Fellaini has been a menacing target all game. Rooney has been looking for him for the last 30 minutes and found him after a great run.

 

[fletcherpost]

Fuckin hell. They made it easy on Man U there.

 

[sachmoney]

Palace are in desperate need of some oxygen.

 

[The Price Is Wrong]

Fuckin hell. They made it easy on Man U there.

Two defenders were down to block. The near defender just tipped the ball to the right of the far defender, but the initial kick sent the keeper diving left. Was a confluence of misfortunes, really.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Another pinball in the box almost sets up Young to win it, but he couldn't get the shot off.