- WEMBLEY — Goals from Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr sent Crystal
Palace to their first FA Cup Final in nine years with a 3-0 win over Aston
Villa at Wembley Stadium.
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- This is only the third time Palace have reached the final of
this competition, also getting there in 1990 and 2016 when they also lost to
Manchester United.
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- A pulsating encounter was ultimately decided by two goals of
the highest quality, as Eze put Palace ahead after half an hour with a stunning
curled effort from just outside the box before Sarr drilled home to double the
lead just before the hour.
Also read: FA Cup: Manchester City come from behind to defeat Bournemouth, clinch SF berth for seventh consecutive season
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- It proved a timely second for Palace, after Jean-Philippe
Mateta had missed a penalty for the Eagles just a minute earlier, but it was
not enough to dampen a famous afternoon for the South Londoners.
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- Villa pushed hard for a way back into the contest but were
unable to find a way past a resolute Crystal Palace defence, with goalkeeper
Dean Henderson producing a handful of fine saves.
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- The Eagles then wrapped up victory in style, as Sarr broke
free in stoppage time to slot home for his second, and Palace's third, of the
afternoon.
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- Crystal Palace, who are just a win away from lifting their
first major trophy in their 120-year history after a dream day at Wembley
Stadium,
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- will face the winner of Sunday's second semi-final between
Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
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- Villa have won the FA Cup seven times, but they have not
lifted the trophy since 1957. That 68-year wait to lift the FA Cup goes on, and
the Premier League is now their only route into European football.
