Crystal Palace's reward for beating Man Utd at Old Trafford on Wednesday night is a two legged semi final against Cardiff City.
Man City v Liverpool is the other semi final.
This will guarantee a Championship side in the final. The draw from a footballing point of view is probably what both Cardiff and Palace wanted. Both teams will feel they have a chance of making it to Wembley.
Palace stunned Utd with a 2 - 1 win after extra time. If you get a chance to check out Darren Ambrose's opener you will not be disappointed. A real thunderbolt.
The 1st leg at Selhurst Park will be w/c 9th January 2012, the second leg at Cardiff City Stadium takes place two weeks later w/c 23rd January 2012.
Both matches will be live on TV.
So City miss a glamour tie at Eastlands or at Anfield but the chance of making (another) Wembley final is very very real.
A familiar face was on the Palace bench at Old Trafford. Former manager Lennie Lawrence is the old sage assistinging young manager Dougie Freedman. Lennie of course led City to play off glory at the Millennium Stadium in 2003.