Full reaction: Palace FA Cup journey ends in Wembley semi-final

THE GAFFER GIVES HIS VIEW

Read his full quotes here.

19:26

“We work and aim for it [returning to Wembley]. Players smell the test of those kind of games where we are really close to a final. Those kind of moments players want to play more often. Look at the fans today, they were exciting for us, supporting us through the competition and even in the league.

“There is an excitement around the fans, the football club, that’s why it’s important for us to build from that platform we’re putting place at the moment. It’s an exciting period for the football club and we have to keep going.”

19:22

On playing a back five: “It was to match the front five, to not give them that opportunity to run between our normal back four. Because when we played them at Selhurst we suffered a lot – they created the overload on the side and made it difficult for us. We wanted to match them.”

19:19

“I think the way they moved the ball in the second-half, we got a little bit frustrated. We started to not put so much pressure on the ball and Jorginho started to get on the ball and that allowed him to make better decisions. We have to keep improving and this is an aspect of the game – not getting frustrated, and working together.”

19:15

Patrick Vieira is speaking to the media post-match, and has started by saying:

“We tried to play our best but Chelsea were too good on the day for us. We tried to frustrate them and managed to in the first-half but we tried our best and today it wasn’t enough against a really good side.”

A FAIR APPRAISAL FROM MARC

19:08

Marc Guéhi has reacted to the game, saying: “As a team, we take that on the chin. As a team, we gave it a really good go today – we had a few chances and I think we could have scored but the better team won on the day.

“That’s the fine margins in the game, the fine details. When you do get those opportunities, you need to score and at the other end you need to defend.”

Read what else he had to say here.

 

19:01

Our fans outdid themselves today; don’t just take our word for it.

18:56

The Palace fans roared at full-time with the energy of a win.

MAN OF THE MATCH

18:31

What a cup run it has been, from January at the Den to Wembley Stadium.

There were some heroic performances out there despite the result – vote for your Man of the Match below.

18:30

A tough day for the Eagles but they have done the club proud – read our match report HERE.

18:28

Patrick Vieira leads the players around the edge of the field, as they show their appreciation for the fans who stuck with them all the way.

What a display the supporters put on today.

18:23

This is some sight.

The Palace fans are waving red and blue flags and creating a cacophony of noise as they applaud their players off the field.

Chelsea may have triumphed on the pitch, but Wembley is a wall of red and blue noise.

FULL-TIME

Chelsea 2-0 Palace

It wasn’t to be for the Eagles this afternoon.

They held Chelsea well in the first-half and went in at the break having played the better of the two sides, but in the end the European champions had just too much.

It will be Chelsea v Liverpool in the final, but Patrick Vieira’s men can be proud of their FA Cup exploits this season.

90+1 mins:

Great save from Butland.

Rudiger bursts into the penalty area and tries his luck, but the Palace ‘keeper gets down well to push it away.

CHANCE!

90 mins:

Somehow it’s still 2-0.

Lukaku is free on a few yards out with an open goal to aim at, but can only hit the post. Ziyech tries to complete the job for him, but Palace get bodies in the way and keep it out.

There will be three minutes of added time.

88 mins:

Lukaku cuts the ball back into the area for a teammate, but a fresh-air shot lets Palace off the hook.

87 mins:

Chelsea break away through Timo Werner, but Joel Ward comes steaming back to get a vital foot in and regain possession.

85 mins:

Five minutes to go at Wembley – can Palace end this one on a high?

SUBSTITUTION

83 mins:

Kouyaté’s race is run, and Luka Milivojevic replaces him.

SUBSTITUTION

81 mins:

Andreas Christiensen trudges off, and on comes Thiago Silva in his place.

80 mins:

Ayew advances down the left and creates space for the shot, but the block comes off him before going behind for a Chelsea goal-kick.

79 mins:

The Palace fans at Wembley are doing a remarkable job of backing the team.

Two goals down with ten minutes remaining, they are still far outsinging their Chelsea counterparts and stadium is a wall of noise from the end in red-and-blue.

CHANCE!

77 mins:

What a chance for Palace!

The ball breaks kindly for Kouyaté on the edge of the area, but his first touch is loose and Chelsea clear.

From the resulting corner the flick-on reaches Joachim Andersen unmarked at the far post three yards out, but he heads over the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION

76 mins:

Chelsea made a triple switch in the aftermath of that goal.

Havertz, Jorginho and Mount were withdrawn, with Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and N’Golo Kante taking their palces.

GOAL

76 mins: Chelsea 2-0 Palace (Mount)

Just as Palace were really knocking on the door, Chelsea apply what could be the killer blow.

It’s a well-worked goal on the break, with Mason Mount hovering on the edge of the area. As he is slipped in, his first touch takes him into space and he has time to slot coolly past Butland.

74 mins:

Much better from Palace!

They look a real threat coming forwards now, and Zaha is found in the area but can’t get his cross onto the head of a teammate.

Olise is next to have a go, forced back by a wall of yellow shirts.

72 mins:

How much have Palace missed him?

Olise’s first involvement is to round his man and slip an inventive ball into the area towards Zaha, which James is forced to hack away for a throw-in.

SUBSTITUTION

71 mins:

Jeffrey Schlupp and James McArthur are withdrawn, to a standing ovation from the Palace faithful.

Olise and Benteke emerge to massive cheers – what can they do to turn this game around?

69 mins:

Palace are preparing a double change in response to that goal.

Michael Olise and Christian Benteke are stripped off and ready to enter the fray.

GOAL

65 mins: Chelsea 1-0 Palace (Loftus-Cheek)

Chelsea are ahead, and it’s unfortunate for Palace.

Werner does well to make his way into the penalty area, but his cross is blocked – it falls for Loftus-Cheek on the edge of the area, who slams into the top corner on the half-volley.

It’s an excellent finish under pressure. The Eagles will have to do it the hard way.

CHANCE!

60 mins:

The best chance of the game, from the resulting corner.

It’s an excellent ball in, and Kouyaté is free to rise highest and head goalwards. He doesn’t make a clean connection, however, and it comes off a combination of his head and shoulder and trickles agonizingly wide.

For a moment, the Palace fans behind the goal thought they had the lead.

59 mins:

…but when you’re a player like Wilfried Zaha, you can do it all on your own.

Kouyaté steps into midfield to win the ball back superbly, and plays Zaha in on the right. The forward twists and turns away from attentions of the defender, finding a yard to get a dangerous ball in that has to be headed behind.

57 mins:

Patrick Vieira has set his side up to weather this Chelsea storm here.

The Eagles are playing with two banks of four, with Eze slightly more advanced and Zaha on his own in attack.

SUBSTITUTION

55 mins:

Jean-Philippe Mateta makes way, to be replaced by Jordan Ayew.

Wilfried Zaha has moved into a central role, supported by Eze and Ayew on either side.

54 mins:

Marc Guéhi at his best.

With Havertz waiting to receive the ball, the Palace man gets in first to nick the ball away before winning a free-kick for his troubles.

52 mins:

Palace are preparing their first change, with Jordan Ayew stripped and ready to come on on the touchline.

In the meantime, the Eagles have a free-kick halfway inside the Chelsea half, but Kouyaté’s header loops into the hands of Mendy.

51 mins:

Chelsea are probing away, and almost find an opening.

Loftus-Cheek slips a through ball towards Werner in the area, but a combination of Kouyaté and Butland smother the ball away.

From the next attack, Rudiger fires over the crossbar from distance.

50 mins:

Chelsea are probing away, and almost find an opening.

Loftus-Cheek slips a through ball towards Werner in the area, but a combination of Kouyaté and Butland smother the ball away.

From the next attack, Rudiger fires over the crossbar from distance.

47 mins:

Early pressure for Palace to withstand here, but they are not short of backing from the fans at the other end.

Mount’s shot goes well over the crossbar.

46 mins:

Chelsea are seeing far more of the ball in the opening exchanges of the second-half. Christiensen and Reece James exchange passes before launching a first attack, which is headed clear by Joel Ward.

KICK-OFF

45 mins:

We’re back underway…

17:33

The teams are back out –  Palace will be kicking towards their own fans in this second-half.

Everything to play for.

Your reactions to a solid half:

Remember, this one has to have a winner today.

Worrying about how you’re going to last another 45 minutes? You might just have to go a lot longer than that!

If we’re level after 90 minutes there will be half-an-hour of extra time, before the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet, eh?

HALF-TIME

Chelsea 0-0 Palace

A fairly even first-half ends goalless.

Neither side can claim to have truly dominated the early proceedings, but you would imagine that Patrick Vieira will be the happier of the two managers.

Cheikhou Kouyaté came closest, forcing Edouard Mendy into a reaction save before Joachim Andersen struck the post – only for the offside flag to be raised.

Chelsea have threatened through Kai Havertz, who was booked for diving in an unsavoury incident in the penalty area, and Timo Werner who has demonstrated his pace getting in behind.

Still level though – just how important might that first goal be?

45+2 mins:

This is not comfortable for Chelsea. First Zaha tries to make the space for the shot, before Mateta charges down a clearance from Antonio Rudiger.

Palace have a free-kick to close out the first 45 minutes…

45+1 mins:

Or indeed, can they nick a goal just before half-time…?

45 mins:

There are two minutes of time added on.

Palace will be pleased with how this first-half has panned out – but they won’t want to get sloppy so close to the break.

42 mins:

That’s excellent from Wilfried Zaha.

With Palace under pressure, the No. 11 nips in to steal possession. The ball breaks for Mateta, who finds Eze and in turn Zaha again. With nowhere to go, Zaha forces Jorginho into giving away a free-kick, and the Chelsea momentum is gone.

38 mins:

Well, that’s not pretty.

Havertz races into the penalty and goes over dramatically as Chelsea appeal for a penalty.

The referee instead points in the other direction and books Havertz for diving – the replays show it was a correct decision – Guéhi made no contact whatsoever.

If Havertz had stayed on his feet, he might have been in! A perplexing moment from the young German.

CHANCE!

36 mins:

CHAOS!

The free-kick is only half-cleared and falls for Cheikhou Kouyaté on the edge of the area, who volleys goalwards and forces a stunning reaction save from Edouard Mendy.

Andersen is first on the scene and volleys against the post, although the flag is raised for offside.

The closest either side has come.

35 mins:

Zaha is fouled, and Palace have a free-kick in a really dangerous area – 25-yards out, on the left touchline.

Can they conjure something up here?

34 mins:

Chelsea register another shot on goal, but once again it’s far from hitting the target.

This time Marcos Alonso’s cross is headed clear by Tyrick Mitchell, falling for Jorginho on the edge of the box. The midfielder shows typical awareness to cushion a pass down for Mason Mount, but the England man can only fire far over the crossbar.

32 mins:

Chelsea are on top here, and Palace are having to withstand some pressure in the final third.

31 mins:

This game has burst into life!

This time it’s Chelsea’s turn to race forwards at lightning speed, with Cesar Azpilicueta found in the penalty area.

The right-back has scored some spectacular goals in his time, but this was not one of his finest moments – he gets his attempted ‘Di Canio’ volley all wrong, and the ball trickles out for a Palace throw-in.

30 mins:

…it’s cleared, and Palace break forwards!

Zaha does well to force his way through midfield, and Chelsea can only half-clear. The ball makes its way to Ward but his pass can’t pick out Zaha in on goal.

29 mins:

Chelsea corner, and it’s a dangerous one. Joel Ward comes across to head clear, but it’s behind for another Chelsea set-piece…

27 mins:

Palace have a free-kick in the Chelsea half – a chance for the defenders to make their way forward. What can they make of this?

The ball is lobbed in towards Joachim Andersen, but Mendy gets out quickly to take charge of the situation.

SUBSTITUTION

25 mins:

Chelsea are forced into an early change, with Kovacic limping off to be replaced by former Eagle Ruben Loftus-Cheek in central midfield.

22 mins:

A lofted ball finds Kai Havertz in the penalty area, but his looping header falls straight into the arms of Jack Butland.

18 mins:

Christiensen’s long clearance falls unkindly for Andersen, but he keeps his composure and nods back to Butland under pressure from the lurking Havertz behind him.

16 mins:

Mateta has started well here.

Once again the Frenchman moves into space behind the Chelsea defence, and tries a tricky reverse pass into the six-yard box – Mendy is there to scoop up however, and the chance is gone.

14 mins:

…not very much.

The ball is half-cleared, before trickling behind for a goal-kick.

13 mins:

In the nick of time!

Timo Werner finds space in behind and looks to cut the ball back into the penalty area, but James McArthur races back and knocks it behind.

What can Chelsea do from this early corner?

11 mins:

Chelsea make progress around the Palace box, but Kovacic’s appeals for a free-kick are waved away.

Palace look to break forwards through Kouyaté and then Eberechi Eze, but the latter is fouled cynically and the attack breaks down.

8 mins:

Chelsea are enjoying their first spell of possession.

How are your nerves, Palace fans?

7 mins:

Wilfried Zaha plays Mateta in behind, but the Palace man can’t get the ball under control and it’s nicked away.

5 mins:

The Eagles have had most of the ball early on – but they almost cause a problem for Chelsea out of possession.

Jean-Philippe Mateta charges down Edouard Mendy and the Chelsea ‘keeper just about manages to get it away.

2 mins:

Palace have started on the front foot, and Joel Ward charges down the right hand side to force Andreas Christiensen into a hasty clearance.

KICK-OFF

1 mins:

We’re underway, and it looks as if Palace will be playing a 3-5-2 formation, with Cheikhou Kouyaté the third centre-back.

16:29

We’re just about ready to go here.

‘We’ve got super Pat Vieira’ is belted out from the Palace end.

HERE COME THE TEAMS…

16:26

The teams are out, and the men in red-and-blue applaud the fans who are making a deafening noise around Wembley Stadium.

16:24

‘Glad All Over’ is belted out of the PA system – the players are in the tunnel.

16:21

‘EAGLES, EAGLES’ comes the chant from the Selhurst Park faithful.

16:19

The Palace end is a sea of red and blue now, as a huge banner announces a ‘South London takeover’.

Not long to go now…

16:17

Half of Wembley is absolutely rocking as we approach kick-off.

PRE-MATCH FROM THE CHAIRMAN

16:14

Hear from Steve Parish, who gave his pre-match views pitchside.

GOOSEBUMPS

16:05

The below video has just been played live at Wembley.

ANOTHER ACADEMY STAR WATCHING ON

16:02

Hayden Mullins is here under the arch. He said pre-match: “It’s massive. I think Crystal Palace have thoroughly deserved where they are at the moment. In the league they’re doing brilliant and this semi-final for them, the club and fans is a reward.”

WELCOME, LADS

16:00

Our entire Under-18s squad has been invited to sit behind the dugouts at today’s match. Enjoy the game, lads.

15:57

“…south London is my new home, so I’m definitely south London and proud.”

For Tyrick Mitchell, who grew up seeing the Wembley arch from his bedroom window, today’s semi-final will be an extra special occasion.

The Palace fan favourite spoke to ITV before the game to reflect on his early years, and how they shaped the international left-back today.

15:53

Got a good feeling about this afternoon? It’s time to put your money where your mouth is!

Guess the outcome of today’s game correctly and you could be in with the chance of winning one of 10 signed programmes from today’s semi-final.

Predict the result: Chelsea v Palace

396 Votes ● Results announced in 12 days

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I was really happy with the way Ebs played against Leicester. He did really well… he can create chances, he can dribble.

Patrick Vieira

15:48

And look who’s here to support the boys…

 

THE EAGLES HAVE LANDED…

15:45

Patrick Vieira’s men have arrived at Wembley…

It’s wonderful, it’s fantastic. It’s a big day for the football club, fans, players and staff.

Patrick Vieira

15:35

Thoughts on that team, Eagles?

Make sure you get involved on Twitter by using the hashtag #CPFC.

TEAM NEWS

15:30

Here it is, your Crystal Palace lineup to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Vieira makes three changes from the side that beat Everton in the quarters.

Palace: Butland (GK), Ward, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell, McArthur, Kouyaté, Schlupp, Zaha, Eze, Mateta.

Subs: Guaita, Clyne, Kelly, Tomkins, Milivojevic, Olise, Ayew, Edouard, Benteke.

Chelsea: Mendy (GK), Rudiger, Alonso, Christiensen, Jorginho, Kovacic, Werner, Mount, James, Azpilicueta, Havertz.

Subs: Kepa, Thiago Silva, Kante, Lukaku, Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Ziyech, Sarr.

15:15

If there’s anyone who knows what it takes to upset the odds on FA Cup semi-final day, it’s this man…

15:05

It’s not long till team news, and you’ve picked your forward. Now let us know: what name are you putting down first in the centre of midfield?

Remember: get involved with our polls today and you’ll have the chance to win a signed matchday programme.

Poll: Who’s the first name in midfield on your teamsheet?

105 Votes ● Closed

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YALA’S BACKING THE BOYS

15:04

15:00

“Complacency is not a word part of his vocabulary.”

Jack Butland told the FA pre-match Vieira’s approach to keeping the squad focused for this game.

Read what else he had to say here.

14:50

“I’m learning from so many senior players here.”

It is easy to forget that Marc Guéhi is just 21-years-old – the Palace defender has captained the side on multiple occasions this season in a manner that belies his tender age.

The latest mark of his maturity was his discussion with the media before today’s game, as he took on pre-match press conference duties.

Guéhi spoke about his relationship with defensive partner Joachim Andersen, as well as his development under the more experienced players in the squad.

BEHIND THE SCENES

14:40

Palace have brought a bit of south London to Wembley – go inside the dressing room in the video.

14:35

We’ll find out today’s team in just under an hour. Before that happens, decide below: who’s the first name you’d pick up-front?

Don’t forget to get involved with our polls today for the chance to win a signed matchday programme.

Poll: Who’s the first name on your team sheet up-front?

174 Votes ● Closed

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THE PALACE ARE HERE

14:30

It’s two hours until kick-off and you’re arriving in numbers…

14:26

Remember: if you’re joining us today, you can click here for all the information you need.

The Palace pubs are below.

Venue	Location	Contact details
The Green Man	Dagmar Avenue, Wembley, HA9 8DF	0208 903 1441 / 07595 051 937
BOXPARK	18 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0JT	N/A
The Arch	324 Harrow Rd, Wembley, HA9 6LL	0208 127 1141
Station 31	299-303 Harrow Rd, Wembley, HA9 6BD	0208 900 0173
The Liquor Station	397A High Rd, Wembley, HA9 6AA	020 8903 0159
JJ Moons	397 High Rd, Wembley, HA9 6AA	020 8903 4923
Crystals Sports Bar	1 Popin Building, Southway, HA9 0HB	0203 576 5765 / 07985 195 277
La Regina	St George’s Hotel, 43-51 Wembley Hill Rd, Wembley, HA9 8AU	020 8900 0662
Palace fanzone/event pad	Wembley Park Boulevard, HA9 0FD (opposite the London Designer Outlet)	N/A

AMBROSE: HEAD DOWN TO BOXPARK

14:00

“Absolutely get yourself in here. The atmosphere is fantastic.

“It’s all Crystal Palace in here today… we can already see, it’s so early with three-and-a-half hours before the game, and it’s fantastic.

“You want to get ready for the game, have a couple of drinks and a bit of food, then come to BOXPARK Wembley.”

13:50

The quiet before the storm?

The stage is set. In just a few hours’ time, Wembley will be bathed in red and blue as Palace’s FA Cup semi-final gets underway.

I’m so jealous of the players being out there and I can’t wait for it.

Darren Ambrose

13:36

Palace have won two momentous FA Cup semi-finals in their history, with the victories over Liverpool in 1990 and Watford in 2016 sitting high among the greatest moments in the club’s history.

Both games, in their own unique manner, provided an abundance of iconic imagery, as fans and players alike shared tears of joy and cries of disbelief against a sprawling backdrop of colour containing the extremes of emotion that only football is able to conjure.

Neil Everitt was a club photographer at Palace for both semi-finals, crouching pitchside to record every moment. Before today’s huge FA Cup encounter, he looked back at taking some of the most incredible pictures from both afternoons.

OLLIE’S ON BOARD

13:33

Former Palace manager, who led us to Wembley success in 2013, Ian Holloway has joined fans at BOXPARK.

AMBROSE HAS HIS SAY

13:30

Darren Ambrose, at BOXPARK Wembley, said: “It is absolutely fantastic. I tell you what, I’d love to be playing today… It’s one of those games I’d love to be involved in. But I’m not. The boys out there, this is where legends are made.”

GET INVOLVED

13:20

We want to hear your pre-match thoughts, your semi-final superstitions and to see your Wembley outfits – retro kits and all.

Get involved this afternoon by using the hashtag #CPFC on Twitter.

13:10

Head down to BOXPARK Wembley for a pre-match with famous faces, music, drinks and food – decked out in Palace colours and packed with supporters.

The address is: 18 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0JT.

If you’re not at Wembley today, head to BOXPARK Croydon where they’re showing the game live!

GET INVOLVED

13:02

Remember, vote in any of our polls today and you can join our competition to win a signed matchday programme.

The first, predict the result, is below.

Predict the result: Chelsea v Palace

396 Votes ● Results announced in 12 days

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FROM THE GAFFER

13:00

“Wembley is a theatre of the game, one of the best stadiums in the world. I can’t wait to see you all there, and to experience the atmosphere I know you can create.”

Patrick Vieira knows how crucial your support has been to our FA Cup run so far this season, from lighting up The Den against Millwall to leaving Selhurst Park bouncing against Everton.

Read the manager’s full message to fans before today’s semi-final, where the noise you generate will be more important than ever.

SUPPORT’S COMING IN

12:50

Several club legends have shown their support.

12:35

The lads were hard at work this week, preparing for the game today.

Vieira has said all preparation was the same as a normal match.

 

12:20

Mike Rush, 70, has supported Palace since the age of seven, first attending Selhurst in 1959. He was raised in Purley and moved to Swansea with his partner, Christine.

He’s predicting a 2-1 Palace win, and says of the club: “I think we’re established now. It was a bit of a struggle but I think we’ve finally got there. Especially with Vieira in charge, it’s certainly done the job.”

GO BACK IN TIME

12:15

Get yourself in the mood for another huge day in the club’s history by going back in time to one perhaps our greatest FA Cup performance.

Ask a certain generation of supporter their finest hour following the club, and you’ll get the same answer time and again: Villa Park, 1990.

In our new ‘We Were There’ podcast series, experience the twists and turns of an epic FA Cup encounter from the perspectives of those who saw it first-hand – from fans to journalists to the players themselves, including club captain Geoff Thomas and Liverpool defender Gary Gillespie.

Hear stories of faulty coaches and training secrets, tears of joy and tears of pain, and wild nights at the Happy Mondays – this podcast has it all to give you a severe case of FA Cup fever.

12:05

There is nowhere better to get all the background and the build-up to today’s massive game than our in-depth Palace Preview HERE.

Check out all the latest form for both sides, with opposition Chelsea enjoying a topsy-turvy couple of weeks in the Premier League and in Europe. For Palace, explore the tactical dilemmas presented to Patrick Vieira before selecting his starting XI for this afternoon.

And for those superstitious fans out there, two extraordinary FA Cup clashes 50 and 100 years ago may bode well for the Eagles this afternoon.

WELCOME TO WEMBLEY

12:00

Hello and welcome to the live blog of today’s FA Cup semi-final. It promises to be a huge day for the club as Crystal Palace compete with Chelsea for a place back here at Wembley next month.

We’ve been here before, most recently in 2016, when the Eagles beat Watford 2-1. Our previous successful FA Cup semi-final came against Liverpool in 1990, with a famous 4-3 win at Villa Park.

But we’ll get to that later.

Here, we’ll share everything you need today in one place. That’s all the pre-match build-up, every interview, the best snaps, team news, live match updates and post-match reaction, all here, and all live.

If you’re attending today’s game and are looking for matchday information, please click here.

You can also get involved with today’s first poll and predict the result below. Once you’ve voted, you’ll have the chance to join our competition to win a signed matchday programme.

Predict the result: Chelsea v Palace

396 Votes ● Results announced in 12 days

See Options