Manchester City were undone by underdogs Crystal Palace in a close-fought FA Cup final meeting under the Wembley arch.
Crystal Palace won a historic first FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, bringing jubilation to more than 30,000 supporters who packed out the home of football and taking home prize money to Selhurst Park.
The Eagles endured an early onslaught of Manchester City pressure as Pep Guardiola looked to go one better than last year, having been beaten in the FA Cup final by bitter rivals Manchester United. However, against the run of play, it was Crystal Palace who took the lead when Eberechi Eze finished a glorious piece of counter attacking football.
The Cityzens, who were favourites going into the match, continued to control the ball after the break but a military style Eagles defence would not crack under pressure as the London side eked out their victory.
It’s the first time that Crystal Palace have celebrated lifting a trophy since winning the old First Division in 1994, ending a 30 year wait for silverware. It’s the first time the club has won the FA Cup of League Cup.
For manager Oliver Glasner, it’s his second trophy in charge of a team. The 50-year-old lifted the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022 when winning on penalties against Rangers in the final. He won the Austrian cup twice as a player with SV Ried in 1998 and 2011.
FA Cup Prize Money: Crystal Palace winnings confirmed
The FA Cup winners take home £2 million of prize money with the runners-up receiving half of that at £1 million. That means that, after their 1-0 win, Crystal Palace have won £2 million.
Oliver Glasner’s side has already banked £1 million as a minimum cash injection for reaching the final at Wembley Stadium. Should Crystal Palace have lost the semi-final against Aston Villa, they would have received £500,000.
The FA Cup is a significantly more lucrative prize than a triumph in the Carabao Cup. Newcastle United won the League Cup competition this season and took home £100,000, just one twentieth of what is at stake in the FA Cup final.
How much Premier League prize money Crystal Palace can still win
There is more prize money that Crystal Palace can win in the Premier League this season with huge sums of money handed out to all competitors in the division. The Eagles currently sit 12th in the table with two fixtures left to play.
The London outfit take on Wolves at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night and then finish the campaign at Champions Liverpool on Sunday. Crystal Palace could pick up six points from those matches and finish 10th. They cannot be caught by any teams below them with seven points separating Crystal Palace in 12th and Everton in 13th.
If Crystal Palace stay in 12th position, they are set to pocket £25.4 million. Should Glasner’s side rise up the table and finish in 10th, that figure is set to become £31 million.
In other news, 'I want to' - Crystal Palace FA Cup finalist confirms retirement decision at 11th club.
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