Crystal Palace made history at Wembley today, winning their first major trophy in a remarkable 119-year career as a professional outfit and 164 years as an association football club. The victory marked a milestone for the team, who had reached the FA Cup final twice before but lost both times to Manchester United.
The match itself was not spectacular, with Cup finals often being more about strategy than entertainment. However, Palace executed their game plan superbly, scoring on a counterattack and saving a penalty. They also defended solidly, with all 11 players dropping back behind the ball.
Ben Chilwell, a Chelsea loanee, was unable to play in the final but was present on the bench and in celebration. The defender had previously featured in three of the last four rounds of the competition, starting once against Millwall in the Round of 16.
Former Chelsea prospect Marc Guéhi also played a key role, despite being forced off with a concussion in the second half. Despite his injury, he was able to lift the trophy with the team and is now expected to be in high demand this summer, potentially drawing interest from his parent club Chelsea.
Source: https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2025/5/17/24432220/ben-chilwell-wins-the-fa-cup-with-crystal-palace