Advertisement

FA Cup spotlight shines on Palace and United, warts and all

The story goes that the FA Cup saved Sir Alex Ferguson from the sack in 1990.

His Manchester United side had endured a dismal league season, finishing in 13th place. But crucially at the end of it they won their first trophy in five years, beating Crystal Palace in a replay at Wembley.

Alan Pardew was part of the Palace midfield for both games and now he's the manager, thankful for some shelter from the storm. Were it not for Palace's run to this year's decider - where they'll face United on Saturday - Pardew would more than likely have faced an anxious wait over his future in South London.      

At the halfway point of the campaign, Palace had just gone six games unbeaten and were fifth in the table. They went to Stamford Bridge and Anfield and won. They held Manchester United. They put five past Newcastle. And then it all came tumbling down.

Their first game of 2016 was a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at Selhurst Park and it was a sign of things to come.

Between Dec. 19 and April 9, they failed to win a league game. Fourteen fixtures without a victory sent the side into free-fall and, for a while, relegation seemed a real possibility.

Pardew, a prickly character who has been involved in heated touchline altercations with Arsene Wenger and Manuel Pellegrini and head-butted Hull's David Meyler, grew increasingly tetchy and frustrated.

Crystal Palace’s Yannick Bolasie is congratulated by his manager Allan Pardew after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates stadium in London, Sunday, April 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Crystal Palace’s Yannick Bolasie is congratulated by his manager Allan Pardew after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates stadium in London, Sunday, April 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

After a controversial end to a 2-1 loss to Liverpool, there was a tension-filled post-game interview with Sky Sports. He railed at a poor penalty decision. He railed at the reporter.

Essentially, it seemed like he was merely irritated at not being able to answer the question of why his side weren't good enough on the day. Essentially, it seemed like Pardew was weary at not being able to fix the problem.

But they scored a crucial home win over Norwich and followed it up with successive draws - one of them away to Arsenal - and that was sufficient to retain top-flight status for another term.

In the midst of all the chaos, though, there's been the FA Cup. The bonus of a final appearance has put a gloss on a poor season.

Palace, forever lost in the myriad of their more glamorous London neighbours, aren't supposed to exist in a spotlight. They're the relentless, dogged  'background artist' who may, very occasionally, be thrown a line or two.

Their moments in the sun have been few and far between, as evidenced in the club's quite brilliant unofficial Cup final anthem 'Glad All Over Again' by Ben Bailey Smith - otherwise known as Doc Brown. 

The best bit references a key part of Palace's history:

"When we're down at Wembley, we ain't giving up

We want more than the Zenith Data Systems Cup."

That last big day out for Palace came in 1991 when they beat Everton at Wembley in the final of the short-lived tournament set up during the European ban imposed on English teams in the aftermath of the Heysel disaster.

The highlights slip between the cracks, really. But for the anoraks, perhaps one more will do the rounds ahead of Saturday's clash.

It was a night in London in 1972. Club icon Don Rogers, with the snake hips and the impressive moustache, scored twice as Palace humiliated a limp and lifeless Manchester United, beating them 5-0.

The result cost then-United boss Frank O'Farrell his job.

A similar eventuality is a distinct possibility this time around too.

United's league season ended appropriately enough - in chaos. It was tough to ignore the giant metaphor of a bomb threat at Old Trafford proving to be nothing more than a false alarm.

After all, their campaign has been filled with them.

At various intervals this term, United have hinted at a breakthrough before their tepid, ponderous approach costs them dearly.

For someone who talks so frequently and proudly about instilling a philosophy, Louis van Gaal's charges seem fragile and timid and display little confidence in their coach's system.

As a result, no one really holds much confidence in United anymore. When their backs have been against the wall, they've wilted.

There was an inevitable disappointment at home to Liverpool in the Europa League and then a failure to hang on to a lead with 20 minutes to go against West Ham.

Both results served to suck any last remaining optimism from the hardcore support.

Still, van Gaal sticks his chest out and answers any questions about his future with a simple response - "I signed a three-year contract."

Winning a trophy makes it more difficult for the United top brass to remove him. It has, after all, been three years since the club won anything.

But fittingly, given their team's performances this term, the board seem hesitant and unsure of what their next move should be. History and logic indicate van Gaal should go. This has been the second-worst season for United in the Premier League's 24-year history. Last season, he presided over the club's third-worst.

For what it's worth, the worst saw David Moyes last just ten months in the job.

Van Gaal knows his time will be up for sure if United lose. That's what the FA Cup brings him this weekend.

Pardew is surely thankful the sweating and fretting is over.

For him and Palace, the Cup has provided much-needed solace this season. And it's given the fans reason to believe.

That, in itself, is a success.