Crystal Palace Make History with Stunning FA Cup Victory Over Manchester City
Crystal Palace etched their name into the history books by clinching the first major trophy in the club’s long history, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in a dramatic FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. In a season full of surprises, Palace delivered the ultimate twist by toppling the Premier League giants to lift the famous trophy.
The defining moment came just 16 minutes into the match, when Eberechi Eze finished off a blistering counter-attack, sweeping home Daniel Munoz’s precise cross. The goal ignited wild celebrations among the Palace faithful and proved to be the decisive strike in a game dominated by City’s possession but controlled by Palace’s determination and defensive resilience.
Crystal Palace’s win marked the end of a frustrating season for Manchester City, who finished the campaign without silverware for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut year in 2016-17. Despite their usual dominance on the ball, with 78% possession, City were unable to break through Palace’s compact and disciplined defence.
A key moment of controversy came in the first half when Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson handled the ball outside his area while under pressure from Erling Haaland. City’s bench and supporters demanded a red card, but after a VAR review, it was determined that Haaland was not heading toward goal, and no clear scoring opportunity had been denied. The decision stood, and Henderson remained on the pitch.
Henderson would go on to become one of the heroes of the final. In the 36th minute, he saved a penalty from Omar Marmoush after Tyrick Mitchell had brought down Bernardo Silva in the box. With Haaland stepping aside from penalty duties following a poor recent record, Marmoush stepped up, only to be denied by Henderson’s diving stop—making him the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in an FA Cup final (excluding shootouts) since Petr Čech in 2010.
From there, Crystal Palace dug in deep. Henderson made a string of outstanding saves to keep City at bay, denying efforts from Haaland, Josko Gvardiol, Jeremy Doku, and later substitute Claudio Echeverri. Under the guidance of manager Oliver Glasner, Palace executed their game plan to perfection, frustrating City and holding firm throughout a tense second half.
Munoz, who delivered the match-winning assist, was another standout for Palace. His tireless work on the flank epitomized the team’s collective spirit. Alongside him, Eze once again proved decisive, just as he had been in earlier rounds against Fulham and Aston Villa. His goal was a moment of clinical quality in a game where chances were scarce for the underdogs.
Crystal Palace are FA Cup champions—and no one can take that away.
Crystal Palace fans had to endure a nerve-racking 10 minutes of stoppage time before the final whistle finally confirmed what many had dreamed of for decades: a major trophy for the Eagles. As the referee blew for full time, scenes of unrestrained joy erupted among the players, coaching staff, and supporters. Tears flowed both on the pitch and in the stands as Palace supporters celebrated the greatest day in the club’s 119-year history.
The triumph is a remarkable turnaround for a side that did not record their first Premier League win this season until October 27. Yet, belief in Glasner’s leadership never wavered. The club’s patience has been rewarded with FA Cup glory and a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League.
This Crystal Palace team has been defined by resilience, unity, and moments of brilliance when it mattered most. Eberechi Eze and Dean Henderson will be remembered as the stars of this magical run, but it was a collective effort that propelled Palace past English football’s elite.
For Manchester City, questions will be asked about their failure to convert dominance into goals. However, this was Crystal Palace’s day. Their name will now be forever etched onto the FA Cup, a symbol of belief, hard work, and one unforgettable season.
Source- BBC
