Watford’s FA Cup dream was ended by Crystal palace as Conor Wickham’s second half header condemned them to a 2-1 defeat at Wembley Yesterday.

The Hornets fell behind in the sixth minute to Yannick Bolasie’s header before Troy Deeney struck from a corner to equalise in the 55th minute.

Parity lasted just six minutes, however, as Wickham rose above Nathan Ake to convert a back post header and send the Eagles to Wembley.

Here’s how the Hornets players rated in the disappointing defeat.

Costel Pantilimon 6.5 – Much of the talk in the build-up to this match surrounded the Romanian and whether he would get the nod ahead of Heurelho Gomes. A shaky start saw him lose a high ball from Palace’s first corner, but he rallied well.

Coped well with the added attention and could do nothing about Palace’s early opener, while he was equally faultless for the winner.

Made a smart save from Bolasie’s low drive to keep Watford in it at the start of the second half.

Watford Observer:

Pantilimon can't fails to stop Bolasie's opener

Allan Nyom 6 – Bolasie tormented the right-back with a number of incisive runs as the majority of Palace’s attacks came down their wings.

The Cameroonian failed to close down the cross which led to the winner as he gave Pape Souare plenty of time to measure his delivery perfectly for Wickham to convert.

Miguel Britos 6 – A reckless challenge at the start of the second half allowed Bolasie to race clear on goal and almost double the lead.

With Palace playing Wickham as their sole forward, he and Craig Cathcart shared the responsibility of marking him, but the constantly rotating Palace front line caused the defence problems.

Craig Cathcart 6 – Efficient at the heart of the Watford defence, but much like Britos was given a tough time by Bolasie as the Palace man drifted across the front line.

Did little wrong defensively and was not involved in either of the Palace goals.

Natahn Ake 5.5 – The left-back had his hands full as Wilfired Zaha ran at him at every available opportunity. It was a test he dealt with well by and large.

Ake did, however, lose Bolasie for Palace’s opener as he inexplicably ran to the near post to leave the Eagles star man unmarked at the back.

The full-back offered the most of either of the full-backs going forward, but his performance suffered from his involvement in both Palace goals as he was also outjumped by Wickham for the winner.

The Chelsea loanee was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty at the end of the first half as Zaha’s cross struck his hand. It would have been a harsh decision, but the defenders’ heart must have been in his mouth.

Watford Observer:

Wickham rises above Ake to head the winner

Almen Abdi 5.5 – Many were surprised to see Abdi start this game, and the occasion passed him by. An ineffectual 56 minutes saw the Watford wide-man withdrawn for Adlene Guedioura.

Replaced 56 minutes

Etienne Capoue 6 – The Frenchman was a calming influence on the ball after Watford’s nightmare start and a bursting run from midfield kick started the Hornets’ response.

He was typically Combative in the tackle alongside the equally energetic Ben Watson. A big blow to lose the former Tottenham man after only half an hour with a knee problem.

Did nothing wrong, but it is hard to give him a better rating considering the length of his appearance.

Replaced 33 minutes

Watford Observer:

Capoue leaves the filed on a streatcher

Ben Watson 5.5 – on a ground where he famously scored to win the FA Cup for Wigan in 2013, Watson failed to leave a mark on the game.

Often too conservative in possession and while his passing was neat he failed to provide consistent service to Deeney and Ighalo.

Jose Manuel Jurado 7 – Looked the most likely of any of Watford’s attacking players early on, and saw two powerful efforts well blocked.

While others around him opted for a simple pass, the Spaniard was willing to take the game to Palace in an attempt to create.

His pinpoint corner was perfectly weighted for Deeney to head Watford level and he was among Watford’s best players going forward.

Booked for a nasty lunge on Zaha.

Troy Deeney 7 – What more needs to be said about Watford’s captain fantastic? Delivered when most needed as his second half header dragged Watford level.

The celebration which followed was wild as the Hornets equalised with their first shot on target of the afternoon.

Deeney had previously struggled as Watford failed to get their strikers involved in the game, but, as all good strikers tend to be, was in the right place at the right time.

A clever flick late on gave Ighalo the chance to level, but Deeney’s strike partner was wasteful from close range.

Watford Observer:

Odion Ighalo 5 – This was an occasion when Watford’s top scorer needed to stand up and be counted, again though Ighalo fell short of expectations.

The Nigerian hasn’t scored since the quarter-final against Arsenal and rarely looked like threatening to do so under Wembley’s famous arch.

The one chance which did fall his way was a glorious one as he got on the end of Deeney’s nod down. However, from just six yards out Ighalo blazed high and wide with seven minutes to play.

Substitutes

Mario Suarez (replaced the injured Etienne Capoue 33) 6.5 – Tidy on the ball and rarely wasted possession.

Was also a strong tackling presence, and provided the starting point for many of Watford’s attacks.

Too few attacking options ahead of him made it difficult for the former Atletico Madrid man to create the openings required for Watford to come back into the game.

Booked for a late challenge on Yohan Cabaye.

Adlene Guedioura (replaced Almen Abdi 56) 6 – Went closest to finding a leveller in injury time as his volley bounced agonisingly wide of the Palace upright.

Ikechi Anya (replaced Allan Nyom 82) N/A – The 28-year-old had too little time to have an influence on proceedings.