Two-goal Zaha in line to leave perfect present for Palace fans

The winger has already earned Palace £15m after agreeing a switch to Manchester United in January. And a well-taken double means he could now leave the Eagles a parting gift of a place in the Premier League next season.

A tense derby encounter was going the same way as the goalless first leg until Zaha broke the deadlock in the 69th minute, just moments after Brighton substitute Ashley Barnes had twice come agonisingly close to giving the hosts the lead. Then the 20-year-old England international sealed victory with a fabulous turn and shot with two minutes remaining.

It means Ian Holloway’s Palace will play Gianfranco Zola’s Watford in the final in a fortnight.

The Seagulls bossed the early stages with Julian Speroni having to keep out Will Buckley’s drive before David Lopez’s shot was deflected narrowly over, former England defender Matt Upson and Dean Hammond also close.

But Palace were a different proposition after the break and Jonny Williams missed a gilt-edged chance to put them ahead, the young Wales midfielder’s low shot beating the dive of Seagulls goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, but rolling just wide of the far post.

Brighton striker Barnes latched onto Leonardo Ulloa’s flick-on, only for Speroni to tip his shot onto the crossbar and from the resulting corner saw his header cleared off the line.

The fine margins which decide these play-off encounters were brought home to Brighton moments later.

Palace substitute Yannick Bolasie swung in a cross which Zaha, who had got in front of Wayne Bridge, met with a firm diving header into the net.

And as Brighton pushed for an equaliser they left a hole at the back which Kagisho Dikgacoi exposed by playing in Zaha, who turned Gordon Greer before thumping his shot into the roof of the net in front of the jubilant travelling fans.