In a historic upset, Crystal Palace clinched their first-ever major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025. The victory was marked by a combination of tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and contentious moments that left fans and pundits alike in awe.
Eze’s Early Strike Sets the Tone
The match’s decisive moment came in the 16th minute when Eberechi Eze volleyed home a cross from Daniel Muñoz, giving Palace an early lead. This goal marked Eze’s third consecutive scoring appearance in the FA Cup, following his goals in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Henderson’s Heroics and Controversy
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson emerged as a central figure, making six crucial saves, including a pivotal first-half penalty stop against Omar Marmoush after Bernardo Silva was fouled by Tyrick Mitchell . However, Henderson was also at the center of controversy when he appeared to handle the ball outside the box to deny Erling Haaland a scoring opportunity—a decision that incensed City and sparked debate among commentators .
City’s Dominance Without Reward
Despite dominating possession with 79% and taking 23 shots, Manchester City failed to find the back of the net. Their efforts were thwarted by Palace’s resolute defense and Henderson’s outstanding performance. A second goal by Muñoz was ruled out by VAR due to offside, adding to City’s frustrations .
Historic Triumph for Palace
This victory marks Crystal Palace’s first major trophy in their 120-year history, earning them a place in next season’s Europa League . The win is considered one of the biggest surprises in FA Cup final history, reminiscent of Wigan’s 2013 and Wimbledon’s 1988 triumphs.
Season to Forget for City
For Manchester City, the loss marks a disappointing end to a challenging season, which included losing the Premier League title, crashing out of the Champions League, and now suffering back-to-back FA Cup final defeats . With only two league games remaining, City must fight to finish in the Premier League’s top five to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
What’s Next
Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph under manager Oliver Glasner represents a significant milestone for the club, offering a foundation for future success. Meanwhile, Manchester City faces a period of reflection and rebuilding as they aim to return to their winning ways.
As the dust settles on this dramatic final, Crystal Palace’s victory will be remembered as a testament to determination, strategy, and the unpredictable magic of the FA Cup.
