After a promising run in the FA Cup, Crystal Palace’s dream of silverware this season is over.
The Eagles were dumped out of England’s oldest football competition on the weekend by Watford as Andre Grey’s 79th-minute winner sealed Roy Hodgson’s fate in the FA Cup in a 2-1 loss.
It was a disappointing loss for the south London side, who fancied themselves as dark horses of the competition after knocking out Tottenham in the fourth round and making it to final of the FA Cup three years prior.
Ultimately, it was a fair result, but what would the consequences be if Palace were to win against Watford and make it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup?
Palace face tough tie against Wolves
In our reality, Watford were drawn with Wolves in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, so for argument's sake, we will say Palace are drawn against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side as well.
Wolves have been the giant killers in the Cup this season, knocking out both Liverpool and Manchester United comfortably, making them outside favourites for FA Cup glory this season, and in the league as well the West Midlands-based club have been great against teams in the top-six.
Palace would go into this game at Wembley as the underdogs given their earlier result against Wolves this season, a 1-0 loss at Selhurst, and one of Nuno’s most impressive wins of the season was against Tottenham at their temporary home, a 3-1 win over the Christmas period.
However, with Palace having experience at this stage in the competition, Hodgson’s side will be confident of causing an upset and making their second FA Cup final in three years.
Hodgson keeps job, for now
Speaking of Hodgson, making it to a FA Cup semi-final would have kept the oldest manager in Premier League history in the job for at least another season.
Palace have had an underwhelming season despite the level of quality the Eagles have in the squad, and with the scars of Frank de Boer’s horrific managerial appointment more than healed over, the Palace board might be reluctant to replace Hodgson for an ambitious coach.
Hodgson could have strengthened his argument to be given another season to salvage more than a below midtable finish for Palace on the merit he made it to a FA Cup semi-final.
Crystal Palace fans, would a FA Cup semi-final appearance be a high-point this season?