Back when Crystal Palace and Manchester United met in the 1990 FA Cup final, Alex Ferguson had yet to win a trophy for the Red Devils, Mark Bright and Ian Wright were arguably the league's most entertaining (and certainly the most assonant) attacking partnership, and the final needed a replay to settle it. These lads should ask Santa for a DVD of those golden days ... the first game in 1990 was an absolute crackerPhotograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesTonight's match sees a struggling Palace side facing a weakened, but by no means weak, United team. Here, Wilfried Zaha looks to outmuscle Fabio on the left flankPhotograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesUnited's Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov gets up high above Palace's Irish defender Paddy McCarthy, who drops to the turf with a theatrical flourishPhotograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty ImagesThe home side have chances, not least when Antonio Valencia beats his man and cuts into the box, but the Ecuadorian slides his shot inches wide of the far postPhotograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action ImagesFederico Macheda tries to escape the attentions of McCarthy, but the defender stays tightPhotograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action ImagesIn the 65th minute, Crystal Palace's Darren Ambrose has space in the centre of the park and curiously chooses to ping a shot from 35 yards ...Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA... which stuns everyone inside Old Trafford, the keeper included, as it sails into the top corner of the goal. That was a sumptuous strike. Heck, even some of the home supporters are applauding itPhotograph: Martin Rickett/PABut just four minutes later, McCarthy tugs Macheda's shirt inside the box and prevents a goal scoring chance. The referee instantly awards a penalty ...Photograph: Jon Super/APMacheda staggers his run up and then sends the keeper the wrong way to draw his side levelPhotograph: Martin Rickett/PAWhat a waste of a lead that is by the visitors. Not that the Italian is complainingPhotograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty ImagesThe game goes into extra time prompting Sir Alex Ferguson to try and rouse his players on the pitchPhotograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty ImagesBut the Scotsman's words are ineffective as Palace score again – this time a header from Glenn Murray from an inswinging free-kick. Murray was perhaps half a yard offside, but Palace have the lead their perserverance meritsPhotograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty ImagesDespite their best efforts, Darron Gibson and his United team-mates cannot force an equaliser. Palace were hanging on desperately for the final whistle but they made it – and in doing so they became only the second team to win at Old Trafford in the past 42 gamesPhotograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesBetter still, that puts them into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup where they will face fellow Championship side Cardiff City. In the other half of the draw, Manchester City will play LiverpoolPhotograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images
