Crystal Palace secured its first major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. The win marks a historic milestone for the London club, which had never won a major title before.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola suffered his first trophyless season since the 2016-17 campaign. Despite dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities, Manchester City could not capitalize on its pressure, thanks in part to goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s crucial saves.
Crystal Palace took the lead in the 16th minute with a well-crafted counterattack, capped off by Eberechi Eze’s goal from inside the box. The 26-year-old forward was instrumental in the team’s success, showcasing his pace and skill throughout the match.
The South London side went on to defend doggedly against Manchester City’s constant pressure, thwarting numerous attempts at equalizing. Henderson continued to impress between the posts, making several key saves that ultimately helped Palace secure the win.
“This is special,” Eze said in an interview after the game. “I don’t even know what to say.”
The victory marks a new era for Crystal Palace, as it will now compete in European competition for the first time in its history next season. The team’s fans will celebrate long into the night, basking in the glory of their club’s historic win.
For Palace, this triumph is more than just a momentary thrill – it represents a major breakthrough after years of underachieving expectations. With Eze at the helm, the team has finally broken through and achieved its long-held goal.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/17/sport/crystal-palace-manchester-city-fa-cup-final-spt-intl