Jason Puncheon believes Crystal Palace can go one step further than the team of 1990 and win the FA cup final against Manchester United.

Connor Wickham’s well-placed header just after the hour mark won a tense semi-final at Wembley against Watford, after Troy Deeney had cancelled out Yannick Bolasie’s early opener.

And Croydon-born Puncheon thinks the current crop of Palace stars can cause any team problems, even finalists Manchester United – who were also the club that beat Palace to the trophy 26 years ago.

“It is great for the local community. The last time we did it was 1990, some time ago, but I think with this group I think we can really achieve something,” said Puncheon.

“We can go one better than that team of 1990. That is down to us. But on our day we can beat anyone.”

United, who beat Everton in the other semi-final on Saturday, comfortably dispatched Palace 2-0 last Wednesday at Old Trafford in their league fixture.

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Although Puncheon knows the Eagles will go into the final as underdogs, he is confident the Palace players can raise their game even higher.

He added: “Being the underdogs suits us – it has always suited Crystal Palace.

“From the moment we got into the Premier League we were underdogs and look what we have done since then.

“United are a good side with some great players but everyone raises their game for a final.

“Everyone was seven or eight out of 10 and that helped us. Against United we are going to need nines out 10.”

Puncheon, 29, also spoke of the camaraderie of the Palace players, and believes this spirit got the team through after the disappointment of Watford’s equaliser.

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Palace were in control until Deeney’s 55th minute header but responded well and Wickham rose to meet Pape Souare’s cross just six minutes later to restore the advantage.

“I sensed for the first five or 10 minutes everyone that touched the ball in our team, no one made a mistake,” said Puncheon.

“Everyone was calm and relaxed I thought we were the better team. They were always going to have a period and we saw that through.

“The togetherness got us through.

“There is no one segregated in the dressing room. Everyone mixes with everyone. That shows in our performances.”

Palace will face United at Wembley on Saturday 21 May looking to win their first ever FA Cup.

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