Express & Star

FA Cup: Wolves' and Watford's routes to the semi-finals

Wolves face a huge game against Watford at Wembley this weekend as they look to make it to the FA Cup final.

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How did Wolves and Watford get to the semi-finals? (AMA)

But how did both sides get this far? Luke Hatfield takes a look back at the road to Wembley so far...

Third round

Wolves’ first opponent in the Cup proved the toughest on paper as they were drawn against Premier League title-challengers Liverpool in January.

Jurgen Klopp named a mixed side for the clash though, with 18-year-old Rafael Camacho starting alongside fellow youngster Curtis Jones in midfield.

Nuno Espirito Santo put out a strong Wolves side – and it paid off.

Raul Jimenez and Ruben Neves struck either side of Divock Origi’s goal for the Reds.

Meanwhile, Watford despatched non-league side Woking 2-0 in their first game of the competition.

Will Hughes and Troy Deeney both scored, as they cruised into the fourth round.

Fourth round

Nuno’s charges appeared to be handed a favourable fourth-round tie, travelling to League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town – but it was much tougher than expected.

Taking on a spirited Salop side with a big backing, Wolves found themselves 2-0 down thanks to goals from Greg Docherty and Luke Waterfall.

Substitute Jimenez replied for the visitors though, and Matt Doherty spared their blushes with an added-on time header.

Doherty was the hero in the replay as well, finding the net twice before Ivan Cavaleiro finally put the resilient Shrews to bed in a 3-2 victory.

Watford's away run in the cup continued, this time against Premier League side Newcastle.

The trip to the north-east ended well though, with Andre Gray's second half strike getting them going before Isaac Success finished things off at the death to seal another 2-0 win for the Hornets.

Fifth round

Wolves travelled down to one of the Championship’s form sides in Bristol City last month.

Cavaleiro opened the scoring just ahead of the half hour after some fine work by Doherty.

The Robins rallied, with Jay Dasilva and Matty Taylor both going close, but Nuno’s side held on for a deserved win at Ashton Gate.

The Hornets were on their travels once again, but this time made the short trip to QPR, leaving 1-0 winners.

Ettiene Capoue's first half added time effort proved the difference that day, as they booked their place in the quarter finals.

Quarter finals

Nuno's side faced a tough task in the quarters, with Manchester United coming to town in the midst of a brilliant run under now-permanent boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But it was Wolves' night, with Raul Jimenez opening the scoring before Diogo Jota blew the roof off Molineux to double their advantage.

Marcus Rashford's late goal was nothing but a consolation, with Wolves booking their spot at Wembley with the 2-1 win.

Watford took on Crystal Palace as they aimed for Wembley, and playing at home for the first time in the competition this season, didn't leave their home supporters disappointed.

Capoue opened the scoring mid-way through the first half, only for Michy Batshuayi to level things up on the hour mark.

It was Andre Gray who proved the difference though, netting the winner with little over 10 minutes left to get the Hornets to Wembley.