Manchester City lost the FA final against Crystal Palace – and the writing now looks to be on the wall for one player at the club.
As was the case last year, City fell short at Wembley Stadium with Ebere Eze scoring the only goal of the game.
As expected, Manchester City dominated the ball, but could not find a breakthrough.
Erling Haaland passed up the chance to take a penalty, with Omar Marmoush then seeing his effort saved by Dean Henderson.
Henderson would prove to be a controversial figure in the game, after he handled the ball outside the area.
The referee and VAR did not punish Henderson, and the decision has been blasted.
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But City were poor on the day and no one can realistically say Palace did not deserve their victory.
Pep Guardiola is coming under fire for some of the decisions he made, and him snubbing Jack Grealish was certainly a big call.
More misery for Jack Grealish as Pep Guardiola snubs Man City winger in FA Cup final vs Crystal Palace
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
It has been a season to forget for Grealish, who has really struggled for minutes in a City shirt.
The 29-year-old has made 31 appearances so far, but has been behind the likes of Savinho, Jeremy Doku and new signing Marmoush in the pecking order.
Grealish had featured fairly prominently in City’s FA Cup campaign this season.
He played every minute of City’s first few games. He then dropped to the bench against Bournemouth, but was back starting again against Nottingham Forest.
But he saw zero minutes in the final against Palace, which had to have been hugely disappointing for the player.
And it will have been especially hard to take seeing Guardiola handing Claudio Echeverri a debut.
The 18-year-old was surprisingly called upon as City chased the game, with Phil Foden having also been sent on. Ilkay Gundogan was City’s final substitute in the 88th minute.
It was a clear indicator that Grealish just isn’t someone Guardiola sees as a potential game-changer, and the writing could now be on the wall for him heading into the summer.
Grealish could be finished at Man City
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Perhaps Grealish can have no arguments about not seeing any minutes in the FA Cup final.
But he will be massively frustrated nonetheless, and it will be very interesting to see if this has an impact on his future this summer.
As we know, Grealish has interest from Saudi Arabia and previously, a few Premier League clubs have been linked as well.
Former City defender Kit Symons said after yesterday’s game: “As soon as the young lad came on, we were like ‘What’s going through his mind?’
“A £100 million signing. If it stays like this, and he’s not getting opportunities.
“He’ll be disappointed like any player would be not to come on in a cup final.”
Pundit Darren Ambrose suggested it could now be the end for Grealish at City, adding: “We’re never going to question Pep Guardiola’s decisions, he’s a remarkable manager.
“I look at the Jack Grealish situation, I think we may not see him again in a City shirt next season. The young lad coming on, making his debut, when you need a goal and you don’t bring on your £100 million signing – I think we may not see Jack Grealish here next season.”