TROY STORY
Deeney delight epitomises one of the great FA Cup comebacks and proves competition is alive and well
IT will go down as one of the great FA Cup games at Wembley.
A breathless classic, which had a little bit of everything, and ended with one of the most incredible comebacks you are ever likely to see.
Watford somehow clawed victory from the jaws of defeat, with supersub Gerard Deulofeu providing the inspiration and magic from the bench to break Wolves’ hearts.
It was an incredible fight back, epitomised by Troy Deeney (left), the club’s captain and talisman, stepping up in the fourth minute of stoppage time to smash home a penalty to take it to extra-time and victory. They fought, they gave everything, both teams battling to reach the final and proving the world’s oldest and most famous cup competition is alive and well.
There are debates about the cup losing its magic, the semi-finals being played at Wembley has unquestionably detracted from the final, but this was a thriller deserving of the biggest stage.
The 80,092 fans in the stadium went through the complete range of emotions – despair, ecstasy, tension – as once again VAR played its part.
At the final whistle, the yellow and black-clad supporters in the Watford end celebrated wildly, even if a few had gone home before the end, thinking it was all over, having been 2-0 down with just 11 minutes left.
In contrast, Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo ( far right) slumped to his seat in the dugout, all hope of leading the club to their first FA Cup final in 59 years gone. This is Watford’s first FA Cup final since 1984 and now only the small matter of quadruple-chasing Manchester City stand in their way of a first major trophy.
But when they show courage – or perhaps we should say “cojones” – like this, no one should bet against them.
What a fabulous advert for the job Javi Gracia has done at Watford, the club which used to have a revolving door when it came to managers, but now has one clearly taking them places.
The Hornets somehow found an extra layer of energy, an extra gear of quality, and Deulofeu’s first goal to haul his team back into the game was magical, a world-class effort, which left everyone wondering how on earth he did it.
Wolves will be filled with regret. They had taken charge after 36 minutes when Matt Doherty headed them in front. Joao Moutinho’s short corner found Diogo Jota and he put over a teasing cross. Abdoulaye Doucoure switched off and
Doherty ghosted in to head home his fourth FA Cup goal this season.
They made it two after 62 minutes. Jose Holebas was booked as he conceded a free-kick, Moutinho rolled it to Doherty, and his deep cross put it on a plate for Raul Jimenez to chest down and smash home.
Jimenez, who completed a £30million permanent switch this week, ran behind the goal, found a Wolves mask, which he put on to keep everyone entertained, while
VAR checked in the background and ruled it was just onside.
But everything changed when Deulofeu came on after 66 minutes. The Barcelona academy graduate showed his class by conjuring up a goal from nothing. From inside the box, he flicked his foot with no back lift, and curled a magical chip into the top corner (right). It should be remembered as one of the great Wembley FA Cup goals. It gave Watford hope. They pressed forward, but time was running out when, from nothing, Leander Dendoncker made a needless challenge on Deeney and referee Michael Oliver pointed straight to the spot.
The VAR reviewed the decision and confirmed it was a penalty. Up stepped Deeney and slammed home the spot-kick. He once accused Arsenal of lacking cojones, after a game at Vicarage Road, but showed plenty himself.
It was also a good game for VAR, as it ran smoothly, reviewed decisions – two red card calls in the second half, which hardly anyone spotted – and kept the fans informed on the big screens.
But the crowning moment came in the 104th minute. Andre Gray’s flick released Deulofeu and the brilliant Spaniard raced away, held off Conor Coady, and buried a shot in the far corner.
Deulofeu came off injured in extra time, but his job was done – the Hornets were in the final.