The Eagles lifted the FA Cup for the first time in their 119-year existence.
Image credit: ESPN FC
Manchester City’s FA Cup dreams were dashed under the bright lights of Wembley as Crystal Palace clinched their first-ever major trophy, edging the champions 1-0 in a tense and dramatic final.
Eberechi Eze’s clinical 16th-minute volley proved decisive, as Palace soaked up relentless pressure from Pep Guardiola’s side to seal a historic victory and send their fans into raptures.
A Game of Fine Margins
City entered the final with confidence, buoyed by their dominant form and driven by the emotional backdrop of Kevin De Bruyne’s final Wembley appearance for the club.
Under brilliant sunshine, the game kicked off at a frenetic pace with City controlling possession and testing Palace early.
Within minutes, Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland forced Palace keeper Dean Henderson into back-to-back saves, with Haaland’s hooked effort almost creeping over the line.
Gvardiol then came close with a powerful header, as City racked up four corners in the opening 15 minutes.
But it was Palace who delivered the sucker punch on their first real attack.
Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalized on a midfield turnover, setting up Daniel Muñoz for a quick cross that found Eze ghosting into the box.
His precise volley beat Stefan Ortega, handing Palace the lead against the run of play.
VAR Drama and Missed Chances
The game wasn’t without controversy.
In the 20th minute, Henderson rushed out of his box to intercept a long ball aimed at Haaland, clearly handling outside the area.
However, VAR ruled it was not a clear goalscoring opportunity, sparing the keeper a red card.
VAR intervened again minutes later when Bernardo Silva was brought down by Tyrick Mitchell inside the box.
A penalty was awarded after review, offering City a golden chance to level.
But Henderson, in heroic form, dived to save Omar Marmoush’s effort and smothered the rebound before Haaland could react.
City kept knocking on the door.
Jeremy Doku’s mazy run nearly produced an equalizer, but Henderson’s reflexes once again denied the Blues.
De Bruyne’s follow-up soared over the bar as frustration mounted for Guardiola’s men.
Second-Half Siege and Final Heartbreak
The second half brought no let-up.
City resumed their assault with renewed urgency.
Savinho’s cross nearly connected with Haaland, while Bernardo was denied by a perfectly timed block from Daichi Kamada.
Palace thought they had sealed the game on the hour mark when Muñoz scored after Ortega spilled his initial effort, but VAR ruled Sarr offside in the buildup.
Guardiola turned to his bench, introducing Phil Foden and debutant Claudio Echeverri in hopes of a breakthrough.
The young Argentine almost made an instant impact, but Henderson once again stood firm, saving Echeverri’s sharp effort.
City’s best late chance came from De Bruyne, whose curling shot agonizingly missed the far post.
It summed up the evening for City: creative, committed, but ultimately denied.
A Historic Night for Palace
Palace’s victory marks a seismic moment in the club’s history.
Eze’s goal and Henderson’s heroics will go down in folklore, as the Eagles lifted the FA Cup for the first time in their 119-year existence.
CRYSTAL PALACE WIN THE FA CUP AND THEIR FIRST-EVER TROPHY 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/GBYKFRCnkj
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 17, 2025
City, meanwhile, are left to rue missed chances and contentious calls.
For a second successive year, they leave Wembley empty-handed.
