Watford overhaul Wolves to book FA Cup final against Manchester City

Watford produced one of the great FA Cup comebacks to book a final date with Manchester City.

Watford’s Gerard Deulofeu, centre, beats Wolverhampton goalkeeper John Ruddy to score the winner in their FA Cup semi-final. Picture: Getty Images

Watford produced one of the great FA Cup comebacks by coming from two goals down to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 after extra time in a memorable semi-final at Wembley Stadium.

Two-goal substitute Gerard Deulofeu proved Watford’s hero on Sunday night (AEST) as they reached the FA Cup final for the first time in 35 years in astonishing fashion. The Spaniard scored a sensational individual goal to drag his side back into the match when they were 2-0 down with 11 minutes left.

He then slotted home the winner in the opening period of extra time to book a final date with Manchester City on May 18.

Striker Troy Deeney also enhanced his folk hero status at Watford by nervelessly converting a penalty with the final kick of stoppage time in the 94th minute to enable the Hornets to take the game into extra time.

“This team has got something special. We’re not the most talented but the hard work, the desire, you see it there,” Deeney told BT Sport, celebrating the club’s first Cup final appearance since they lost to Everton in 1984.

“Two goals down, many teams would have called it a day but we kept going, brought the little man (Deulofeu) on, added his bit of magic, and the rest is just hard work.”

A first-half header from Matt Doherty and a dazzling piece of skill that saw Mexican Raul Jimenez chest down and volley home acrobatically just after the hour had looked set to be enough for Wolves to prevail in the all-Premier League clash.

A 79th-minute goal from Deulofeu — a magnificently executed curling chip — was just as virtuoso, setting up the amazing finale that led to Deeney blasting home from the spot after being brought down by Leander Dendoncker.

Spanish international Deulofeu, who was brought on in the 66th minute, delivered the killer blow a minute before the break of extra time, driving past Conor Coady on the right before slipping the ball across John Ruddy and into the net.

Deulofeu did not seem to mind being left out of manager Javi Gracia’s original starting line-up.

“That’s not important, the most important thing is that we go to the final and I’m proud to help the team,” he said.

Spaniard Gracia, who has already overseen a breakthrough season for the Hornets with their best-ever points haul in the Premier League, praised his matchwinner.

“Everybody knows he is an amazing player and today it was difficult for me to start with Gerard beside me on the bench, but we knew during the game at that moment he will be very important for us.”

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo was crestfallen after seeing the four-time Cup winners come so close to reaching their first final for 59 years.

“There is sadness, there is pain,” he said. “In the final minutes of the game we should do better because the game was ours.”

Reuters