FA Cup Report: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United 21 May 2016
FA Cup Final Result: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United Date: 21 May 2016 Venue: Wembley Manchester United claimed their 12th FA Cup title on Saturday by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 after extra-time. Wayne Rooney featured prominently in the early stages of the game and tried his luck from 30 yards out in the 15th minute. His shot took a deflection and Hennessey couldn't hold it, but he recovered in time to deny Juan Mata the follow-up. United had the first proper chance in the 22nd minute when Antonio Valencia picked out Mata with a pass but the Spaniard's well-placed shot was stopped well by Hennessey. Palace remained on the back foot as Marcus Rashford found Anthony Martial with a pass to the far post. However, the Frenchman's strike was brilliantly blocked by Ward, with his goalkeeper stranded. The scoreline stayed at 0-0 until the break, but Louis van Gaal's side came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Rashford set up Marouane Fellaini who lashed a shot at goal but hit the woodwork. Jedinak had a great chance for Palace just before the hour mark when Yohan Cabaye found him with a free kick, but the ball took him by surprise and he sent his shot high and wide. The Red Devils again hit the frame of the goal in the 61st minute. Valencia produced the free kick from the right and Martial nodded it goalwards only to find the far post. The breakthrough arrived in the 78th minute when a half-cleared corner kick was sent back into the fray where Jason Puncheon was on hand to fire home from a tight angle to give Palace the lead. However, it lasted for only three minutes as United equalised. Rooney made an incisive run before crossing to Fellaini who chested the ball down for Mata to hammer home. The game went to extra-time and United were reduced to 10 men in the 106th minute when Chris Smalling earned his second yellow card. Despite their numbers disadvantage, United found the winning strike in the 110th minute as Jesse Lingard hammered home after a cross from Valencia.
