Crystal Palace won the FA Cup for the first time after a 1-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday.
Here are Adam Sells’ talking points from a dramatic Wembley outing.
**HISTORY!**
The day had finally come. Perhaps a day that so many thought may never come.
So many deserve so much credit – the players, the manager, the staff, but perhaps most of all Steve Parish, who has transformed the club after rescuing the club 15 years earlier with Stephen Browett, Jeremy Hoskin and Martin Long.
Twelve seasons in the Premier League, the FA Cup and now European football will follow. the loyal have been rewarded and there is hope that there will be more to come.
Parish is the most successful chairman in the club’s history and now that legacy has been cemented with careful, steady building – often unfairly criticised – but clever and focused on the task throughout. Nobody deserves success more.
Whatever happens in the future, the first major trophy will always be the special one.
It was an occasion that those present will never forget. The Eagles were roared on by 30,000-plus fans and it was an incredible noise.
There was also an incredibly poignant display from the Holmesdale Fanatics which only added to the emotions.
3BBYBNM Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace celebrates his goal with teammates to make it 1-0 during the Emirates FA Cup Final match Crystal Palace vs Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom, 17th May 2025
(Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images)
**THE STARS ALIGNED**
Oliver Glasner’s men were huge underdogs, having played Manchester City 26 times since promotion in all competitions, recording just three victories and five draws.
The fact that Palace are viewed as somewhat of a ‘bogey team’ to City with that sort of record only further underlined the enormity of the task.
For the second favourites to triumph everything had to fall for them, and it did.
There were no injuries in the run up to the game, while Glasner continued to build momentum by selecting full-strength teams.
City were without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The incredible scoring machine Erling Haaland, recently returning from injury, was yet to hit his full stride.
On the day there was controversy with Dean Henderson handling outside the area but he stayed on the field following a VAR check.
The England goalkeeper stayed went on to save a penalty which crowned a fantastic man of the match performance.
City dominated the ball with pretty much 80 per cent possession and recorded an xG (expected goals) of 2.6 over the 90 minutes.
Yet on one of their rare forays into the opposition half, a build-up including Daichi Kamada, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Daniel Munoz culminated with South Londoner Eberechi Eze finishing a sweeping move clinically.
Glasner’s men defended for their lives, threw themselves into blocks and tackles which ensured Pep Guardiola’s men couldn’t find a way.
Adam Wharton and Marc Guehi were lost through injury and there was 10 minutes of added time. There was no denying Palace – it was written in the stars.
**THE HODGSON WAY**
Glasner has forged a fantastic reputation since arriving in SE25, with his well-drilled system and high pressing style.
Having faced City three times, his team had scored two goals against them in every game. Despite being able to find a way to score goals, Palace were beaten on two of those occasions, managing one draw and conceding 11.
Though the ‘toe to toe’ approach may have been enjoyable, it’s difficult to win this way against such an opponent.
Predecessors Alan Pardew, Roy Hodgson and Patrick Vieira all achieved victories over the past decade by making thing difficult for Guardiola’s men and waiting for their moment.
This game played out in very much the same fashion. Palace had what is described in boxing as a ‘punchers chance’ and they were again able to land the big shot.
3BC6JTM London, UK. 17th May, 2025. Joel Ward of Crystal Palace celebrates with the supporters at full time during the FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, London, England on 17 May 2025. Photo by Ken Sparks. Credit: UK Sports Pics Ltd/Alamy Live News
**JOEL WARD – THE PERFECT ENDING**
One of the truly special moments was seeing Joel Ward lift the coveted trophy in the Royal Box.
What a moment!
It was announced during the week that Ward would end his time at Selhurst Park after 13 seasons. The defender was highly emotional when he spoke about his time in SE25 this week.
Signed from Portsmouth for a mere £400,000 by Dougie Freedman following the departure of Nathaniel Clyne in the summer prior to promotion, Ward has been the epitome of the rise of Crystal Palace Football Club.
A bargain buy that grew into a top Premier League full-back, that immersed himself in the club and has been a constant. Leading the club with dignity and class.
Ward has reflected everything that has been the club’s story in that time, and it is fitting that the club should reach the highest point in its history as the curtain comes down on his Palace career.
A new chapter awaits…
PICTURES: ALAMY