Daijiworld Media Network - Wembley
Wembley, May 18: In one of the most dramatic FA Cup finals in recent memory, Crystal Palace pulled off a sensational 1-0 victory over Manchester City at Wembley, clinching their first-ever major trophy in the club's 164-year history.
The hero of the night was Eberechi Eze, who lit up the stadium with a moment of individual brilliance in the 16th minute. Latching onto a well-threaded pass, Eze sliced through City's defense with composure and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, sending the Palace supporters into euphoric celebration.
The goal proved to be the decisive moment in a match where Palace matched City's intensity and refused to be overawed by their star-studded opponents. Eze’s strike was not only a display of technical skill but also the foundation for an astonishing upset against a club that has reigned over English football for much of the past decade.
City pressed hard in response and nearly changed the tide when Erling Haaland broke through on goal. Palace keeper Dean Henderson rushed out and appeared to handle the ball outside his area. Although referee Stuart Attwell allowed play to continue, a VAR review concluded Henderson hadn’t denied a clear scoring opportunity, and he was spared a red card.
Henderson’s reprieve became pivotal minutes later when he saved a penalty from Omar Marmoush, awarded after a Palace handball inside the box. His heroics between the posts continued throughout the second half, as City dominated possession but failed to break down a resolute Palace defense.
Palace nearly doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Daniel Muñoz found the net, but his goal was ruled offside following a VAR check. Guardiola’s unorthodox setup, which lacked a holding midfielder, left City vulnerable to Palace’s quick counters throughout the match.
As the game reached its final stretch, Guardiola introduced teenage prodigy Claudio Echeverri in a desperate bid for an equaliser. But Henderson once again rose to the occasion, producing two brilliant late saves to keep Palace’s lead intact.
When the final whistle blew, it triggered wild celebrations among players and fans. For a club that played in the first FA Cup semi-final back in 1871 and has long lived in the shadow of larger London rivals, this was a storybook ending: their first FA Cup, their first major trophy, and a ticket to the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League.
The result also marked the end of an era for Manchester City, halting Pep Guardiola's remarkable run of winning at least one major trophy every season since his arrival in 2016. For Palace, it was a night that will be cherished forever — the day the underdogs finally roared.