Crystal Palace players celebrate after beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium in London, England, May 17, 2025. /VCG
Crystal Palace players celebrate after beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium in London, England, May 17, 2025. /VCG
Crystal Palace pulled off one of the biggest FA (Football Association) Cup final upsets in history, stunning mighty Manchester City and lifting the trophy for the first time.
Eberechi Eze's strike sealed a 1-0 victory at Wembley Stadium on Saturday to clinch Palace's first major trophy. The result also ensured that once-dominant City ended a campaign empty-handed for the first time in eight years.
"It was the Crystal Palace day. It was the day for our fans and it just had to happen that we win," Palace manager Oliver Glasner said. "I got this feeling during the season that we can achieve incredible things."
As Cup final upsets go, this was up there with Wigan's victory over City in 2013 and Wimbledon's iconic win against Liverpool in 1988.
The outcome might have been different if Omar Marmoush had converted a first-half penalty kick to level the score, but his effort was saved by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
City had nearly 77% possession and took 23 shots. Palace absorbed it all and contented themselves with trying to hit back on the odd break.
Palace's players were handed their medals and the trophy by Prince William, sparking more delirious celebrations from their fans.
"We owed them a trophy and we got them one," Palace co-owner and chairman Steve Parish said. "All the people that stick with you and believe, it is for them. "It's great for the Cup as well."
The historic triumph came at the third time of asking for Palace, which lost its previous finals in 1990 and 2016, both against Manchester United.
In front of more than 84,000 spectators, Palace went ahead in the 16th minute when Eze swept home Daniel Munoz's cross from inside the box to close out a swift counterattack.
Marmoush's moment came 20 minutes later, when Tyrick Mitchell brought down Bernardo Silva and referee Stuart Atwell pointed to the spot.
Despite City's top scorer Erling Haaland being on the field, Marmoush placed the ball and his shot low into the corner was pushed away by Henderson, unleashing almost as big a roar as Eze's goal.
There was debate about whether Henderson should have even been on the field to save the spot kick after the Palace keeper handled the ball outside the area while Haaland was running through on goal.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) deemed it was not a red card offense.
In the second half, City did get the benefit of a video review when Munoz's strike was ruled offside.
Source(s): AP