History makers. Crystal Palace win their first ever FA Cup since they were founded all the way back in 1861.
Their victory means that Oliver Glasner’s Eagles will return to Wembley on Saturday 9th August 2025 to face Premier League winners Liverpool in the Community Shield as the 2025/26 curtain raiser. Another chance to add a trophy to the cabinet.
The last time the FA Cup winners won the Community Shield was in 2022.
This result means that Palace will embark on a European tour as they have confirmed their qualification to the Europa League.
Previous experience of continental competition came in 1998 when the Eagles played one home and one away game in the Intertoto Cup.
Palace will play eight guaranteed games in the league phase, and they will find out their opponents on August 29th. The first match week will take place on September 24th and 25th.
Eberechi Eze was the difference maker at Wembley scoring on the 16th minute to ensure a 1-0 victory for Palace.
Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
It was a nervy affair with a potential sending off and a penalty save also happening in the first half.
In the second 45 they almost went 2-0 up if it was not for VAR overturning a goal following a check.
Before Saturday’s game Jason Puncheon, who scored Palace’s goal in the 2016 final said to The Athletic that, “if they win that cup people would still remember them in 50 years,” and that they, “have one chance to be part of history,” and history was written.
A general view of the inside of the stadium as fans of Crystal Palace form a TIFO motive prior to the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
A general view of the inside of the stadium as fans of Crystal Palace form a TIFO. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Dean Henderson – 10
It was confirmed by @CPFC socials on Monday morning that Henderson had won the club’s Player of the Match for his display.
It could have been a very different day for the former Man United man as he was lucky to escape a sending off as he appeared to handle the ball outside the area to deny an Erling Haaland opportunity.
Made save after save throughout but the Henderson heroic that will largely be remembered for years to come by **South London**ers will be the save to deny Omar Marmoush from the spot.
Wembley erupted. Silence as the Palace end realised it had fallen to Haaland on the rebound. An even larger cheer as the Englishman saved the Norwegian’s effort as well.
Dean Henderson of Crystal Palace celebrates. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Daniel Munoz – 9
As the Colombian has done all season he consistently bombed up and down the right flank during the 100 minutes of game time.
Played a terrific cross into Ebere Eze and got the assist for the goal that won Palace their first ever major honour.
He could have had a goal of his own smashing in from close range just before the hour mark, but it was deemed that there was an offside in the build up to the goal.
Chris Richards – 8
Had the most touches of any outfield player on the field for the Eagles completing 40.
The American was the only player from Glasner’s team to play every minute of the historic cup run. In his presence Palace conceded one all competition.
The final touch to his season was demonstrating his last ditch defending during a game of high magnitude.
He made six headed clearances and blocked four shots and was not dribbled past on a single occasion and managed to keep Haaland quiet.
Maxence Lacroix – 7
The Frenchman seemed to be very confident before the final saying in an interview with ITV, *“I think we are going to win,*” and put in a confident display.
He made several clearances and blocked everything that came his way.
Marc Guehi – 8
Put his body on the line and was withdrawn in the second half after having suffered a fractured eye socket and partially lost his sight.
Stayed to lift the trophy with club legend and fellow captain Joel Ward before being taken to hospital after being pictured wearing glasses in dressing room celebrations.
However, the term club legend could not only be used for Ward, but for everyone of the red and blue that stepped on the field.
A doubt to feature again this season. Could this have been his final Palace appearance, if so what a way to go out or will Europa League football tempt him to stay.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace celebrates with medal after winning the the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace celebrates with medal. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Tyrick Mitchell – 7
The 25-year-old grew up a stone’s throw away from the national stadium.
He gave away an unlucky foul on Bernardo Silva that led to a penalty ten minutes before half time.
Would have been the most relieved of the 84,000 people in the stadium when Henderson made that save.
Dealt well with the threat posed by **Savinho**and cleared his lines well.
Adam Wharton – 8
Was passed fit after having missed the victory away at **Tottenham.**Put in a colossal performance being able to collect the ball in deeper areas of the pitch and carry it forwards.
His afternoon was ended early after blocking a fierce Kevin de Bruyne shot which resulted in him being taken to hospital for concussion checks and posting hours later a picture on his Instagram story captioned “Apparently we won the FA Cup.”
A strong performance that demonstrates the former Blackburn midfielder is willing to put his body on the line when on the field.
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace looks on, during a pitch inspection prior to the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Daichi Kamada – 8
Had a slow start to life in South London and captioned his post-game Instagram post “The most difficult season in my career. But?”
Worked with Palace’s Austrian manager, now considered as the greatest in their history, at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Quickly establishing himself as a big game player after two big displays at Wembley. Became the first ever Japanese player to start an FA Cup final and lift the trophy.
Made countless recoveries and progressed the ball well making four passes into the final third.
Ismaila Sarr – 7
The Senegalese man was a key reason to Palace’s progression to the Final netting two goals and grabbing an assist in the Semi Final.
The former Watford man had one shot on goal which was claimed by the Citizens number two Stefan Ortega.
As always was a threat to the defence with his pace and runs in behind. Was unfortunate to be found offside in the build up to Munoz’s goal
Eberechi Eze – 9
Cemented his status as a club legend scoring the winning goal to secure the trophy. Got on the end of Munoz’s cross and dispatched a volleyed effort into the bottom corner.
Is the player with the most goal contributions in a campaign since Palace got promoted in 2013 overtaking Mateta’s tally of 25, (19 goals and 5 assists), from last term.
Netted in the Quarter Final and Semi Final and also bagged his first England goal this season proving he is a player capable of performing on the highest stage.
It all worked out for the 26-year-old after having been released by Arsenal, rejected by Fulham and Reading and not offered a professional deal by Millwall and suffered an Achilles injury at the end of his first season at Palace before a potential call up for Euro 2021.
Guardiola’s side could not cope with the threat that he posed as he was the most fouled player in the game.
Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace celebrates with the FA Cup trophy after his team's victory in the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace celebrates. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Jean-Philippe Mateta – 7
Was a key part in the build up to the goal. Held the ball up terrifically and played a one two with Daichi Kamada.
Won most of his aerial duels and played an unselfish game as he tried to create chances for his teammates.
Jefferson Lerma – 7
Tasked with playing out of position during the final forty at the back instead of in midfield.
Like many in the Palace back five depended like his life depended on it winning all his duels Like his teammate Lacroix, Lerma spoke with confidence after the semi final tweeting, *“The FA Cup crown has to be at the Palace.*”
That is exactly where the team ensured it would be for the next year.
Jefferson Lerma of Crystal Palace during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Jefferson Lerma of Crystal Palace. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Eddie Nketiah – 5
Replaced Mateta with 12 minutes to spare. The striker did not register a shot on goal in this period.
He was not effective during his time on the pitch. Had an 100% passing accuracy but was caught offside on two occasions.
Will Hughes – 6
Played around 15 minutes. Mainly in added time. Showed good vision to play a couple of passes into the final third and made a clearance and recovery.
With Wharton out for the season and Hughes filmed downing a pint in celebration, Glasner will be hoping the 30-year-old isn’t hungover as Palace chase a record points tally.