Crystal Palace etched their name into the history books, securing their first major trophy with a stunning 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
Eberechi Eze emerged as the hero for Palace, capping a brilliant counter-attack in the 16th minute by calmly converting Daniel Munoz’s pinpoint cross. The goal proved decisive, as Palace’s resolute defense, led by an outstanding Dean Henderson, held firm against a relentless City onslaught.
Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, endured a rare trophyless season, their first since 2016-17. Frustration mounted for the Citizens, particularly over a controversial moment when Henderson escaped a red card for handling outside his area under pressure from Erling Haaland. The VAR deemed Haaland was not in a clear goalscoring position, sparing the Palace goalkeeper.
Henderson’s heroics continued as he denied Omar Marmoush from the penalty spot in the 36th minute after Tyrick Mitchell fouled Bernardo Silva, with Haaland opting out of penalty duties following recent misses. The Palace keeper also thwarted efforts from Haaland, Josko Gvardiol, Jeremy Doku, and Claudio Echeverri, ensuring his side’s lead remained intact.
Despite City’s dominance in possession, Oliver Glasner’s well-drilled Palace side defended with grit and determination, frustrating the Premier League giants. As the final whistle blew, jubilant scenes erupted among Palace supporters, celebrating the end of their long wait for silverware.