Wilf Zaha confident Crystal Palace will kick on even more after sealing Wembley semi-final
Wilfried Zaha is confident there is plenty more to come from Crystal Palace as they sealed their FA Cup semi-final spot with a 4-0 victory over Everton at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles last reached Wembley in 2016 when they lost in extra-time to Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Palace were 2-0 ahead at the break with Marc Guehi heading in Michael Olise’s corner and then Jean Philippe-Mateta slammed in a second after neat interplay between Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha.
The Toffees went out with a whimper and Zaha made it 3-0 on 79 minutes, finishing confidently after Olise’s mishit shot came back off the left post.
Substitute Will Hughes added a fourth, following up after Jordan Pickford could only parry Conor Gallagher’s shot.
Zaha told ITV Sport: “It’s amazing. It’s crazy that it is the first year this team has played together – and you can see the progress already. Over time, when the team gels together more, there is more to come.
“It shows [reaching the FA Cup semi final] what direction the club is going. The players we brought in and how we play, it is just showing what we have got for the future.”
It capped off a perfect week for Guehi, who received a call up to Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad.
The former Chelsea defender had an early scare when he failed to control a pass and then had to make a last ditch tackle on Richarlison in the box – but no penalty was awarded.
Guehi said: “I’m really enjoying my football, it’s fantastic. I’ve settled in really well and that’s credit to everyone at Crystal Palace. I truly hope we can continue this form.
“It was a bit of a nervy start by myself but the team responded well and were resilient, we defended well in that tough period and didn’t concede a goal. We went on to have a good performance.
“It’s a fantastic feeling going to Wembley. We’ve achieved a lot this season and we can’t wait for that game.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
