Eberechi Eze celebrates at Wembley
Eberechi Eze was a key figure in Crystal Palace's FA Cup semi-final win over Aston Villa at Wembley
With Liverpool players partying in Dubai when there are still two fixtures remaining and three teams already making Championship plans, it is fair to say the Premier League season has fizzled out. Not that it was ever ablaze with excitement.
There is mild interest in who fills the four places below Liverpool but it is not really that much of a big deal. But what is a big deal is the FA Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday, an event which should, of course, be the final, crowning game of the English football season.
Instead, there will still be two rounds of mainly meaningless Premier League fixtures to complete and three play-off finals. But the contest between Crystal Palace and Manchester City is the jewel in the football season’s finale.
And with the greatest respect to City, the brilliant Pep Guardiola and their magnificent achievements in recent times, a Palace victory would give this season the happy denouement it needs. Largely - and perhaps this is as much a reflection of modern society and social media - this has, at the very top level, been a season with a scowl on its face.
Mikel Arteta, Ruben Amorim, Ange Postecoglou, Enzo Maresca - to name only a few - taking flak week by week. Incessant moaning about VAR. Clubs hiking ticket prices, Sir Jim Ratcliffe sacking people, left, right and centre.
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But the FA Cup Final will be a very special occasion and it is hard to argue against the idea that it will be more special for Palace fans. For an obvious start, City and their supporters are always at Wembley.
Never mind the semi-final appearances, this will be their 12th Wembley final in 15 seasons. During that time, they have won three FA Cups and six League Cups.
And it is an expensive and inconvenient business following City to Wembley. The last train out of Euston on Saturday is one minute past nine, so most will drive. Official parking at Wembley weighs in at £42.50.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is looking to give the club its first major trophy
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is looking to give the club its first major trophy
(
Image:
Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Coming from South London is a hell of a lot easier. For Palace supporters, this could be the moment of a lifetime. Quite simply, if Oliver Glasner’s side beat City, it will be the greatest day in any Palace supporter’s life. And they certainly can beat City.
When the fun stops, stop, and all that, but if you like a bet on football, the odds on Palace winning the cup - some bookmakers are offering 12-5 against - seem generous to me.
Sure, City are unbeaten in 10 matches but have not been in top form while Palace were very impressive against Aston Villa in the semi-final and Spurs in the league.
Marc Guehi is one of several Crystal Palace players who will be on the radar of Champions League clubs this summer (
Image:
Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
And the reason why this feels like a unique opportunity for Palace is that clubs such as City will be looking to take away their gems this summer. Marc Guehi is surely going elsewhere, the determination to keep Adam Wharton will be tested and there cannot be a marquee institution that is not interested in Eberechi Eze, quite possibly the most watchable player in the Premier League right now.
The potential of Glasner’s Palace is immense. But we all know that keeping these players together to fulfil that potential is, pretty much, an impossible job.
And that is why this FA Cup Final feels like a moment in time for a great club. That is why this FA Cup Final IS the crowning game of this season.
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