Troy Deeney: Watford will be inspired by Wigan when facing Man City in FA Cup final

Up for the Cup: Troy Deeney scores a 94th-minute penalty at Wembley
AFP/Getty Images
Giuseppe Muro8 April 2019

Troy Deeney has urged Watford to take inspiration from Wigan’s win against Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup Final when they look to cause an upset at Wembley next month.

Watford produced one of the great comebacks to beat Wolves 3-2 after extra time and they face quadruple-chasing City on May 18 bidding to lift their first major trophy.

City will be huge favourites but Wigan produced a major surprise six years ago when Ben Watson scored a late winner.

Deeney insists Watford can stun Pep Guardiola’s side, who have already won the League Cup this season, despite being underdogs.

The Watford captain said: “Manchester City are a formidable team, probably the best team in Europe, but it is a one-off game.

“Wigan have shown you can beat them and we need to come in with belief. We are not naive to think it is going to be easy but we know that this hard work can get us a long way.”

Deeney branded Wolves striker Raul Jimenez a “loser” and mocked his celebration after Watford came from two goals down to reach their first FA Cup Final since 1984. Jimenez pulled out a Mexican wrestling mask to celebrate his 62nd-minute goal which put Wolves 2-0 up before Gerard Deulofeu came off the bench to inspire a remarkable turnaround.

Deeney said: “I did not see that until after the game. I am glad he put that mask on, he can wear it out now he is a loser. Enjoy the mask, we got the victory.

“He is a top player. I watch him and think he is very good. He plays the No9 position on his own very well. It was a great finish but you have got to wear the mask and do all that stuff when you know you are going to win the game.

“I am happy I only saw it after the game because I probably would have lost my head if I saw that.”

In Pictures | Watford vs Wolves | 07/04/2019

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Deeney scored a 94th-minute penalty to take the match to extra time and the 30-year-old hopes his heroics at Wembley will help him earn a new deal at Watford.

He still has two seasons left on his contract but said: “If anyone was watching I would like a new deal, thank you!

“I’m not going to lie, I just hit the penalty as hard as I could. I have been practising them for years now, but with that emotion you cannot really recreate that on the training pitch. I just took myself away, calmed myself down, got myself in the zone and put myself in that training-pitch mode.”

Javi Gracia stuck with Heurelho Gomes in goal yesterday and Ben Foster has urged the Watford head coach to play the Brazilian veteran against City.

Gomes, 38, plans to retire at the end of the season so the showdown against City could be the final game of his career.

Gracia has given Gomes no assurances that he will retain his place but Foster, the Watford No1, has said he will refuse to play if he is selected.

He said: “Heurelho deserves it and should play without a doubt. He has played every round so far, he has never let this club down and never will. I want Gomes to play in the final, he deserves it.

“I do not think I will need to speak to Javi because I think he will have the same opinion as me. Gomes has earned his place.”

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