It looked for all the world that Matt Doherty’s goal and assist were enough to secure a date with Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Doherty’s incredible personal campaign continued on Sunday afternoon, when the Irishman’s headed goal against Watford in the first half of their FA Cup semi-final made Wolves fans dream.
After the break, it was Doherty’s turn to play provider and he flighted a perfect cross into the Watford box which was taken down by Raul Jimenez and finished brilliantly.
💥 | @MattDoherty20 heads @Wolves in front!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/503fWWCANJ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 7, 2019
🇲🇽 | Incredible finish and celebration from @Raul_Jimenez9!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/VwEeJytzUz
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 7, 2019
But a moment of absolute genius from Watford substitute Gerard Deulofeu turned the game on its head in the 79th minute before a late penalty from Troy Deeney set up extra time at Wembley.
In the first period of extra time, Deulofeu netted his second of the afternoon and completed the comeback for the Hornets.
🏌 | Cheeky chip from @gerardeulofeu pulls one back for @WatfordFC!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/pHDrfZKhlk
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 7, 2019
Doherty will be left wondering how he is not playing in his first FA Cup final after becoming the player with most direct involvement in goals in the FA Cup this season (four goals and three assists).
The 27-year-old still finds himself behind Everton’s Seamus Coleman in the Republic of Ireland pecking order, with Mick McCarthy insisting that Doherty will have to wait his turn.
After last month’s narrow victory over Gibraltar in his first game back in the Ireland dugout, McCarthy admitted that his experiment of playing both Coleman and Doherty at the same time didn’t work.
“It’s unfortunate for them but it’s not unfortunate for me because if one of them is injured I’ve got another good one,” McCarthy said of his right-back options after the 1-0 win over Georgia.
“I said when I first got the job, I’ll play one of them and I’ll talk about the one that doesn’t play.
“Then, of course, I played the pair of them and it didn’t work. So I’m playing Seamus and I’m afraid it’s just tough on the Doc. And if he gets in for any reason then it’s his place to keep.”
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