Crystal Palace have won the FA Cup – the first piece of major silverware in their history – after a 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley.
Here is the lowdown on the match.
**THE LINE-UPS**
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Lacroix, Guehi (Lerma 61), Richards, Mitchell, Kamada, Wharton (Hughes 87), Eze, Sarr, Mateta (Nketiah 71). Subs not used: Turner, Clyne, Esse, Chilwell, Devenny.
Manchester City: Ortega, Gvardiol, Akanji, Dias, O’Reilly, Silva (Gundogan 88), D Bruyne, Doku (Foden 76), Savinho, Marmoush (Echeverri 76), Haaland. Subs not used: Ederson, Grealish, Reis, Nunes, Khusanov.
**SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME**
Crystal Palace – 2025 FA Cup winners. Let. That. Sink. In. Eberechi Eze scored for the third successive round of the competition with the Greenwich-born playmaker finishing off a rampaging run by Daniel Munoz. The Eagles were indebted to Dean Henderson for a number of saves – not least his excellent penalty save from Omar Marmoush in the first half. The England international could easily have seen red before that for handling outside of his area when he swatted the ball away from Erling Haaland. A VAR review passed without incident. Daniel Munoz thought he had netted a second for the Eagles but Ismaila Sarr was offside when the Colombian’s initial shot clipped off him. Palace were superb defensively – not conceding in the tournament after their South London derby win over Millwall in the fifth round.
**TACTICAL APPROACH**
Palace were happy to keep good defensive structure against a Manchester City side that predictably dominated the ball. There were some huge blocks put in – not least by Daichi Kamada and Munoz on Kevin De Bruyne and Nico O’Reilly. The South London side were forced into a change after Marc Guehi suffered a cut but Jefferson Lerma came on and performed his duties with the minimum of fuss. Palace did not offer a big attacking threat for so much of the tie but defended their lead with real aplomb.
3BBYKAB Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson celebrates after the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 17, 2025.
**STAR MAN**
Dean Henderson. Controversial one because of the fact he could have been dismissed by referee Stuart Atwell. But he made plenty of stops after that including denying Marmoush from the spot after Tyrick Mitchell brought down Bernardo Silva.
**BEST MOMENT**
Eze’s goal or Palace’s celebrations after the final whistle. Take your pick.
**MOAN OF THE MATCH**
Don’t think there is one from a Palace perspective. They got a big slice of luck with the Henderson call by the VAR officials. Winning this famous old trophy for the first time…..everyone that supports the Eagles will be very, very happy this evening.
**A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB**
These moments don’t come around too often. It’s all about savouring the moment. And also looking forward to what winning the FA Cup also means – Europa League football. It can only help with attracting players as well as potentially keeping ones in SE25 who have admirers.
**WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY**
To follow.
PICTURE: ALAMY