Watfrod (3) v Crystal Palace (0): Crystal Palace are staring at another season in the English Championship after being thrashed 3-0 at home by Watford in their semi-final first leg.

With the return at Vicarage Road to come tomorrow night, the Hornets are virtually certain to progress to the final against either Leeds United or Preston thanks to second-half goals from Marlon King, Ashley Young and Matthew Spring. For Palace, Jobi McAnuff, Andrew Johnson and Ireland's Clinton Morrison all missed first-half chances.

Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd switched from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 for the second half, bringing on Al Bangura for Darius Henderson to give his team greater solidity in midfield.

The change paid immediate dividends when King collected a goal-kick from Ben Foster, shook off Darren Ward and hit a low shot from 20 yards that went in off the right post.

Then, on 65 minutes. Watford won a free-kick 25 yards out and Young curled a wonderful right-footed effort Gabor Kiraly could only help into his goal.

Five minutes from time, Spring completed Palace's misery when he collected a loose ball on the right, drove into the penalty area and lashed the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Kiraly, Ward (Butterfield 65), Popovic, Fitz Hall, Boyce, Watson, Hughes, Soares (Freedman 65), McAnuff, Johnson, Morrison. Subs not used: Leigertwood, Reich, Speroni. Booked: Popovic, Fitz Hall.

WATFORD: Foster, Stewart, Mackay, DeMerit, Doyley, Chambers (Eagles 83), Mahon, Young, Spring, Henderson (Bangura 45), King. Subs not used: Chamberlain, McNamee, Mariappa. Booked: Spring, Stewart, Chambers. Goals: King 46, Young 67, Spring 85.

Referee: M Jones (W Yorkshire).