Gerard Deulofeu’s match-winning performance in the FA Cup semi-final was inspired by his “anger” at being left out of Watford’s starting line-up, according to his manager Javi Gracia.
Goals by Matt Doherty and Raul Jimenez seemed to have Wolves on course for a return to Wembley in May’s final, but Watford substitute Deulofeu pulled one back in the 79th minute with a sublime finish before Troy Deeney’s 94th minute penalty forced extra time.
And Deulofeu wrapped up a memorable comeback in extra time, finishing a counter-attack as the game stretched.
“That moment [when he came on] he was angry when he hadn’t started the game,” said Garcia. “But I like to see my players this way, with that attitude, when they are angry and want to show what they can do.
“The first goal was high quality, but it is not a surprise to me because I see him in training every day.
1/31 Player ratings
Watford 3-2 Wolves (AET)
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2/31 Heurelho Gomes – 7 out of 10
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3/31 Kiko Femenia – 7 out of 10
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4/31 Adrian Mariappa – 6 out of 10
REUTERS
5/31 Craig Cathcart – 6 out of 10
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6/31 Jose Holebas – 6 out of 10
AP
7/31 Will Hughes – 6 out of 10
EPA
8/31 Etienne Capoue – 7 out of 10
Action Images via Reuters
9/31 Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
10/31 Roberto Pereyra – 7 out of 10
AP
11/31 Andre Gray – 7 out of 10
AP
12/31 Troy Deeney – 8 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
13/31 Gerard Deulofeu – 9 out of 10
AP
14/31 Daryl Janmaat – 6 out of 10
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15/31 Adam Masina – 6 out of 10
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16/31 Ken Sema – 6 out of 10
PA
17/31 John Ruddy – 6 out of 10
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18/31 Romain Saiss – 7 out of 10
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19/31 Conor Coady – 6 out of 10
REUTERS
20/31 Willy Boly – 7 out of 10
AP
21/31 Matt Doherty – 8 out of 10
REUTERS
22/31 Leander Dendoncker – 6 out of 10
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23/31 Ruben Neves – 6 out of 10
AP
24/31 Joao Moutinho – 7 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
25/31 Jonny Otto – 7 out of 10
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26/31 Raul Jimenez – 8 out of 10
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27/31 Diogo Jota – 7 out of 10
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28/31 Ryan Bennett – 6 out of 10
REUTERS
29/31 Ivan Cavaleiro – 6 out of 10
PA
30/31 Ruben Vinagre
REUTERS
31/31 Adama Traore – 6 out of 10
REUTERS
1/31 Player ratings
Watford 3-2 Wolves (AET)
Getty
2/31 Heurelho Gomes – 7 out of 10
Action Images via Reuters
3/31 Kiko Femenia – 7 out of 10
Action Plus via Getty Images
4/31 Adrian Mariappa – 6 out of 10
REUTERS
5/31 Craig Cathcart – 6 out of 10
Action Plus via Getty Images
6/31 Jose Holebas – 6 out of 10
AP
7/31 Will Hughes – 6 out of 10
EPA
8/31 Etienne Capoue – 7 out of 10
Action Images via Reuters
9/31 Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
10/31 Roberto Pereyra – 7 out of 10
AP
11/31 Andre Gray – 7 out of 10
AP
12/31 Troy Deeney – 8 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
13/31 Gerard Deulofeu – 9 out of 10
AP
14/31 Daryl Janmaat – 6 out of 10
Action Images via Reuters
15/31 Adam Masina – 6 out of 10
Action Images via Reuters
16/31 Ken Sema – 6 out of 10
PA
17/31 John Ruddy – 6 out of 10
Getty Images
18/31 Romain Saiss – 7 out of 10
Getty Images
19/31 Conor Coady – 6 out of 10
REUTERS
20/31 Willy Boly – 7 out of 10
AP
21/31 Matt Doherty – 8 out of 10
REUTERS
22/31 Leander Dendoncker – 6 out of 10
Action Images via Reuters
23/31 Ruben Neves – 6 out of 10
AP
24/31 Joao Moutinho – 7 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
25/31 Jonny Otto – 7 out of 10
Getty Images
26/31 Raul Jimenez – 8 out of 10
Getty Images
27/31 Diogo Jota – 7 out of 10
Action Plus via Getty Images
28/31 Ryan Bennett – 6 out of 10
REUTERS
29/31 Ivan Cavaleiro – 6 out of 10
PA
30/31 Ruben Vinagre
REUTERS
31/31 Adama Traore – 6 out of 10
REUTERS
“We knew before the game Gerard would be important during the game. I knew, with more spaces later. What I didn’t know was when he started to play we would be losing 2-0. He wanted to play the semi-final, he has played almost all the games before. He wanted to help the team, and he has done.”
