We’d love to banish FA Cup demons, says Crystal Palace chairman

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said he would love to the chance to “put things right” after their dramatic FA Cup final loss to Manchester United in May.

The Eagles took the lead at Wembley when Jason Puncheon fired past David de Gea with 12 minutes left, but Juan Mata equalised three minutes later.

And Jesse Lingard broke Palace hearts when he rifled in from the edge of the box in extra-time.

Palace will start this year’s FA Cup campaign away at League One side Bolton, with Parish admitting he would relish another opportunity to go all the way in the historic competition.

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“Of course, we were nine minutes away and I still can’t get my head round how we didn’t win,” Parish said.

“That wasn’t a vintage Manchester United team, and it was a weird place for a couple of weeks.

“We would all love to do that again and put it right, and we have got a great first tie against Bolton.

“There are family friends up there and it is exciting stuff to be playing them, but of course we need to

consolidate in the league and that is what we are concentrating on at the moment.”
Palace’s clash with Bolton, at the Macron Stadium, will take place over the weekend of January 6-9.