Tearful Gomes sweating on place
WHEN Watford reach the last four of the FA Cup, it has traditionally been the spark for drama to erupt around their goalkeepers, and right on cue came this tearjerker featuring Heurelho Gomes. Manager Javi Gracia refused to guarantee Gomes his place at Wembley after the popular Brazilian had shared an emotional farewell with home fans following his fine display in Saturday’s quarter-final win. At 38, he is out of contract at the end of the season and ‘99 per cent certain’ he will retire from football to become a pastor or an agent or both, and this will go down as his final appearance at Vicarage Road, barring an injury or suspension for Ben Foster. ‘I will decide what’s best for the team,’ said Gracia. ‘It doesn’t change for me because it will be the semifinal or the final because I trust all my players.’ Ten years ago, the two goalkeepers were on opposites sides in a League Cup final. Foster is Watford’s No 1, while Gomes continues to impress in the Cup. ‘I’m glad it’s the gaffer’s decision,’ said defender Adrian Mariappa. ‘Gomey has been a tremendous servant to this club. He’s hugely popular and influential in the changing room, and I’m sure no one wants to see him go. ‘I’m hoping it won’t be his last game here. You can see how much he’s loved by everyone at the club. If he plays at Wembley, we’ll have every confidence in him.’
WATFORD (4-4-2): Gomes 6.5; Femenia 6, Mariappa 6, Cathcart 6.5, Holebas 6.5 (Masina 46min, 6); Hughes 6 (Gray 77), Doucoure 6.5, Capoue 7, Pereyra 6; Deeney 6.5, DEULOFEU 7.5 (Cleverley 89). Subs not used: Dahlberg, Janmaat, Kabasele, Success. Scorers: Capoue 27, Gray 79. Booked: Masina. Manager: Javi Gracia 7.
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1): Guaita 5.5; Wan-Bissaka 7, Tomkins 6, Kelly 6, Schlupp 6; Kouyate 5, Milivojevic 6; McArthur 6 (Benteke 84), Meyer 5, Townsend 6; Batshuayi 6. Subs not used: Hennessey, Ward, Woods, Riedewald, Wickham, Ayew. Scorer: Batshuayi 62. Booked: Milivojevic. Manager: Roy Hodgson 6. Referee: Kevin Friend 6.
Attendance: 18,104.