Sunday 22 May 2016 10:53, UK
As Crystal Palace and Manchester United prepare to meet in Saturday's FA Cup final, we look back on their journeys to Wembley...
Crystal Palace's FA Cup campaign began with a trip to the south coast to face Premier League rivals Southampton. Alan Pardew's side took the lead through Joel Ward's first-half strike but the hosts hit back through Oriol Romeu. Palace's lead was restored when Wilfried Zaha volleyed past Saints goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg to book his side's place in round four.
What Pardew said: "As resilient and tenacious as we were, we had a bit of luck but we go on to the next game. Unless I get dragged into that bottom four or five [of the Premier League], it will be my strongest team in every round. I want to win it."
Fourth round - v Stoke City (H) 1-0
Palace were up against another Premier League side in Stoke but this time they were in front of their own fans at Selhurst Park. Zaha was the match-winner again, scoring the only goal of the game as Palace secured a place in the fifth round.
What Pardew said: "Lesser teams than the quality I have have won this competition in recent years. We've got the talent to win it."
Fifth round - v Tottenham (A) 0-1
Pardew's men were on the road again, this time facing an in-form Tottenham side. And again, a 1-0 win was enough to send Palace to a first FA Cup quarter-final since 1995. This time a first goal since November 2011 from Martin Kelly sealed the victory.
What Pardew said: "I said to the players in the dressing room, 'You won't know the effect and the impact the FA Cup has until you reach the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. Then you understand the romance of this competition'."
Quarter-final - v Reading (A) 0-2
Struggling for form in the Premier League, Palace traveled to Reading, bidding to reach a first FA Cup semi-final in 21 years. Palace were still without a league win in 2016 but they put those troubles behind them as late goals from Yohan Cabaye and Fraizer Campbell booked the Eagles a trip to Wembley.
What Pardew said: "A semi-final in the Cup brings an excitement to you, and we hope that rubs off on our league form."
Semi-final - v Watford (N) 2-1
Watford stood in Palace's way of a first FA Cup final in 26 years as Pardew took his side to Wembley for the semi-final. It was Palace who made the perfect start as Yannick Bolasie headed his side in front in the sixth minute. Troy Deeney levelled in the 55th minute but Palace's lead was restored six minutes later through Connor Wickham. And they held on to book a repeat of the 1990 final when a Palace side, featuring Pardew, drew 3-3 with Manchester United before the Red Devils were victorious in the replay.
What Pardew said: "This is a different team, with a different spirit, but the characteristics are similar to 1990. They are hard-working, diligent, with good defenders and some pace on the attack. I just hope the destiny isn't the same result in the final."
MANCHESTER UNITED
Third round - v Sheffield United (H) 1-0
Manchester United started their FA Cup campaign with a home tie against Sheffield United and the League One side made Louis Van Gaal's side work extremely hard for their victory. With Sheffield United on course for a thoroughly deserved replay, Memphis Depay was fouled in the penalty area leaving Wayne Rooney to send his side through to the fourth round from the spot.
What Van Gaal said: "Okay it's not good today. We did not move the ball quickly today. But we have won and that is the most important thing in the FA Cup - we have to be in the next round and we are there."
Fourth round - v Derby County (A) 1-3
The pressure was mounting on Van Gaal after United's 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton in the Premier League but the FA Cup was providing some light relief for the Dutchman. Rooney's opener was cancelled out by George Thorne, but Daley Blind and Juan Mata secured a confidence-boosting victory.
What Van Gaal said: "It was a very good result but also a very good performance and that's more important at this moment. I liked the performance in the first half, it had a lot of confidence and that is back which is very important."
Fifth round - v Shrewsbury (A) 0-3
Another round, another visit to a lower league side for Manchester United and Van Gaal's side made light work of League One Shrewsbury. Chris Smalling and Mata gave United a 2-0 lead at half-time before Jesse Lingard rounded off proceedings to seal his side's passage into the quarter-finals.
What Van Gaal said: "Everybody will say it's against Shrewsbury Town and Manchester United have to win, but we have seen very difficult results in the FA Cup. The top team doesn't always win so I think we have done fantastic, and I have congratulated my players because I was very pleased."
Quarter-final - v West Ham (H) 1-1
Manchester United were staring exit in the face after Dimitri Payet's 68th-minute strike put West Ham on course for the semi-finals. However, Anthony Martial was United's saviour, equalising in the 83rd minute to earn a replay and keep his side's cup dream alive.
What Van Gaal said: "It was a fantastic match between two good sides and I am very happy that my team showed their spirit."
Quarter-final replay - v West Ham (A) 1-2
In the final FA Cup game at Upton Park, United spoiled West Ham's party as second-half goals from Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini handed Van Gaal's side a 2-0 lead. James Tomkins pulled a goal back for the hosts but it wasn't enough as United booked their place at Wembley.
What Van Gaal said: "I want to win a trophy in England. That is what I came here to do."
Semi-final - v Everton (N) 1-2
Fellaini was the man to give United a deserved half-time lead against his former club but Everton roared back after the break. David de Gea kept United in it, saving Romelu Lukaku's 57th-minute penalty, but Everton were not to be denied for long with Smalling's own goal bringing the scores level with 15 minutes to play. With the game heading for extra time, Martial was United's hero again, firing past Joel Robles to send his side to a record-equalling 19th FA Cup final.
What Van Gaal said: "It was unbelievable. We were in the game, out of the game, and then we were in the game. We are lucky that we scored in the last minute, but we deserved to win."
