Adrian Mariappa insists Watford are not getting carried away, despite reaching the FA Cup semi-final.

The Hornets beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at home on Saturday afternoon, booking their ticket to Wembley for a final four clash. 

However, the defender claimed that, while the players were happy to have reached the latter stages of the competition, they were not getting the champagne out just yet.

"Everyone was obviously very happy to get through to Wembley," he said.

"But the boys' feet are firmly on the ground. There’s a lot of football still to be played this season, so we’re buzzing, but there was no throwing champagne around and stuff like that.

"Everyone knows we’ve got to train hard and we’ve got big games coming up.

"Today was a real team effort and we’re enjoying every game and we’re just delighted to go through."

Mariappa was full of praise for goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, whose procession around Vicarage Road at the end of the game suggested he had featured in a Hornets' home match for the last time.

The defender described him as both "exemplary" and "hugely popular" and said he did not want him to leave just yet.

He said: "He’s hugely popular in the dressing room and everyone’s got a tremendous amount of respect for him. He’s loved by everyone from the club to the fans right through. I’m hoping it’s not his last game here.

"We’re always confident in him no matter what game he’s playing in. I don’t think anyone has ever doubted his ability or him as a professional, he is an exemplary professional.

"Day-to-day in training he’s unbelievable and obviously we've got really good goalkeepers this year and it shows how Ben Foster's been playing to keep Gomey out of the team."

Finally, Mariappa praised his team mates for not letting their heads drop after Palace equalised as a result of his own mistake and admitted he was relieved to be on the winning side following the error.

He said: "It’s not good to make mistakes that cost your team goals, but you saw from the reaction from the team we just got on with it and it’s a credit to everyone as a collective."