FA Cup final: Crystal Palace edge Man City to win first major title
Crystal Palace vs Man City
On a historic Saturday at Wembley Stadium, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze ignited an unforgettable south London celebration by scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, securing the FA Cup and marking the club’s first major trophy in its 120-year history. The electrifying atmosphere was palpable as Palace fans, draped in their iconic purple and blue, erupted in joy, their long wait for silverware finally rewarded. Eze’s stunning 16th-minute volley, a moment of sheer brilliance against the run of play, set the stage for a monumental defensive effort led by former Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, whose heroics in goal thwarted a relentless City onslaught. Manchester City, despite dominating possession and creating a plethora of chances, including a missed penalty, faltered in their quest to salvage a disappointing season, leaving Palace to bask in the glory of a triumph that will be etched in the annals of the club’s history. For Palace, this victory was not just a trophy but a testament to their resilience, belief, and the transformative impact of manager Oliver Glasner, who has steered the team to unprecedented heights since taking charge 15 months ago. The FA Cup final, a clash of contrasting fortunes, showcased Palace’s ability to seize their moment against a fading giant, making it a day of unbridled joy for the Selhurst Park faithful.
Eberechi Eze, the heartbeat of Palace’s campaign, emerged as the hero of the day, his first-time volley sparking wild celebrations among the Palace supporters. The England forward, whose goals in the quarterfinals and semifinals had propelled Palace to their third FA Cup final, struck at a moment when City were in complete control, their ultra-attacking lineup suffocating Palace in their own half. Eze’s journey to this moment was one of perseverance, having been released by Arsenal and other clubs as a youth, only to rise through the ranks and become a talisman for Palace. His goal, a product of a rare Palace foray forward, came after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s incisive pass found Daniel Muñoz, whose pinpoint cross was met with a thunderous strike from Eze that left City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega with no chance. “This is what dreams are made of, for me and this club. Who thought we could do it? We’ve made history,” Eze declared post-match, his words encapsulating the magnitude of the achievement for a club that had endured heartbreak in their previous FA Cup final appearances in 1990 and 2016. The goal not only shifted the momentum but also set the tone for Palace’s dogged defensive display, as they withstood wave after wave of City attacks to protect their slender lead. Eze’s moment of magic was a reminder of his growing stature in English football, a player whose flair and composure under pressure have made him a cornerstone of Palace’s ambitions and a symbol of their triumph over adversity.
Manchester City, once the indomitable force of English football, appeared a shadow of their former selves, their performance at Wembley emblematic of a harrowing 2024-25 campaign that has seen them dethroned as the Premier League’s powerhouse. Under Pep Guardiola, City had dominated the domestic landscape for much of the past decade, but this season has been marked by inconsistency and vulnerability, culminating in their second consecutive FA Cup final defeat. Despite their early dominance, with Kevin De Bruyne orchestrating play in what was his final Wembley appearance for City, they failed to capitalize on their chances. De Bruyne’s lofted pass found Erling Haaland, whose stretching effort was brilliantly saved by Henderson, and Josko Gvardiol’s header was also repelled by the inspired Palace goalkeeper. City’s decision to field an attack-heavy lineup, devoid of defensive midfielders, left them exposed, and Palace exploited this vulnerability with ruthless efficiency. The missed penalty by Omar Marmoush, a January signing who stepped up in place of Haaland, was a defining moment, with Henderson’s diving save to his right preserving Palace’s lead and deflating City’s momentum. “Incredible. We had a feeling it would be our day today. We deserve this so much,” Henderson said, revealing his confidence in saving Marmoush’s effort. “Haaland might have stepped up, but he gave it to Marmoush. I knew which way he was going. I knew I would save it.” City’s profligacy in front of goal, coupled with Henderson’s heroics, underscored their struggles, as they faced the prospect of finishing the season without a domestic trophy for the first time since 2016-17, a stark contrast to their recent era of dominance.
For Crystal Palace, the victory was a triumph of grit, luck, and tactical discipline under the stewardship of Oliver Glasner, who became the first Austrian coach to lift the FA Cup. Glasner, who inherited a talented but inconsistent squad 15 months ago, has instilled a sense of belief and unity that has transformed Palace into a formidable unit. The final was a microcosm of their journey, as they rode their luck against a City side that controlled 81% of possession in the first half. Palace’s defensive resilience was epitomized by Henderson, whose string of saves, including a flying stop to deny Jérémy Doku’s curling effort, kept City at bay. The backline, marshaled by Tyrick Mitchell and company, stood firm despite the pressure, even surviving a scare when Henderson appeared to handle the ball outside his area, only for VAR to spare him a potential red card. Mitchell’s concession of a penalty for tripping Bernardo Silva was a moment of peril, but Henderson’s save from Marmoush ensured Palace’s lead remained intact. Glasner’s game plan, which relied on soaking up pressure and striking on the counter, was executed to perfection, with players like Ismaïla Sarr and Daniel Muñoz threatening to extend the lead. Sarr’s near-miss and Muñoz’s disallowed goal, ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check, highlighted Palace’s ability to create danger despite their limited possession. The final’s tense moments, including 10 minutes of stoppage time that drew groans from the Palace fans, tested their resolve, but the final whistle triggered an outpouring of emotion as the stadium reverberated with the club’s anthem, “Glad All Over.” Glasner’s achievement in guiding Palace to their maiden major trophy cemented his legacy, transforming a club long accustomed to near-misses into champions at last.
The FA Cup final was more than a match; it was a narrative of redemption, ambition, and the unpredictability of football. For Palace, it was the culmination of decades of perseverance, a moment when a club often overshadowed by its London rivals stepped into the spotlight. The fans, who had endured the agony of defeats in 1990 and 2016, celebrated with a fervor that reflected the weight of the occasion, their purple and blue scarves creating a vibrant mosaic at Wembley. Eze, Henderson, and Glasner became instant heroes, their contributions immortalized in Palace folklore. For Manchester City, the defeat was a sobering reminder of their fallibility, a signal that their era of dominance may be waning. Guardiola’s side, despite their pedigree and attacking talent, could not breach Palace’s resolve, their missed opportunities and tactical missteps costing them dearly. The contrast between the two teams—Palace’s hunger and City’s frustration—made for a compelling spectacle, one that captured the essence of the FA Cup’s magic. As Palace lifted the trophy, the south London party spilled into the night, a celebration of a historic triumph that will resonate for generations. The 2024-25 FA Cup final, with its drama, heroism, and sheer emotion, was a fitting testament to the enduring allure of the world’s oldest club competition, a day when Crystal Palace dared to dream and emerged as champions.
