Crystal Palace stunned Manchester City to win the FA Cup in a dramatic and emotional final that will go down as one of the most iconic days in the club’s history. After years of heartbreak at Wembley, the south London side finally claimed their first major trophy, and the outpouring of joy at full time was unforgettable.
The hero of the hour was Eberechi Eze, who scored the only goal of the game in the 16th minute. The attacking midfielder struck with clinical precision, volleying in after a dynamic run and cross from Daniel Muñoz, who had tormented City down the right wing. But if Eze provided the magic, Dean Henderson delivered the defiance. The goalkeeper made several crucial saves, most notably from the penalty spot to deny Omar Marmoush just after the half-hour mark.
Henderson’s inclusion on the pitch was not without controversy. Midway through the first half, he appeared to handle the ball outside his area to prevent Erling Haaland from capitalizing on a through ball. Despite City’s protests and replays showing contact outside the box, the officials allowed him to continue. The decision infuriated City and set the tone for a fractious encounter.
Palace had set up in a compact 5-4-1 formation, prepared to soak up pressure and break with purpose. That approach paid off as they kept their shape and limited City’s opportunities. Muñoz was again involved in a disallowed goal later in the half, his finish chalked off after the ball had ricocheted off an offside Ismaïla Sarr in the buildup.
City’s frustrations only grew. Bernardo Silva earned a contentious penalty after a theatrical fall under Tyrick Mitchell’s challenge, but Marmoush saw his spot-kick and Haaland’s rebound both denied by Henderson. The keeper then acrobatically tipped over a curling shot from Jérémy Doku and watched as Kevin De Bruyne squandered another opportunity, blazing over when well placed.
In the second half, City increased the pressure. Jeremy Doku remained a threat and Silva was denied by a superb block from Daichi Kamada. City thought they had equalized when Muñoz bundled the ball in again, only for VAR to rule out the goal for offside. Tensions boiled over during the interval, with reports of an altercation between Pep Guardiola and Palace’s coaching staff.
As ten minutes of stoppage time were announced, Palace’s fans held their breath. Claudio Echeverri, on for his debut, tested Henderson twice more, and De Bruyne shot narrowly wide. Palace’s resilience, however, held firm until the final whistle, prompting scenes of unbridled celebration as players collapsed to the turf in exhaustion and joy.
The result compounded a disappointing season for Manchester City, who finish without silverware for the first time since 2016-17. It also marked a sorrowful end to De Bruyne’s time at the club, with no trophy to cap his final appearance.
For Palace, the triumph is monumental. Along with the FA Cup, they earned a place in the Europa League—their first-ever qualification for a major European competition. After years of financial struggles and brushes with administration, the club’s transformation under manager Oliver Glasner has been nothing short of remarkable. His tactical discipline, ability to inspire belief, and creation of a clear identity have reshaped the club’s destiny.
