Eberechi Eze’s 16th-minute winner and Dean Henderson’s heroic goal-keeping helped Crystal Palace win the FA Cup for the first time in their history. This is also their first major silverware after beating Manchester City 1-0 in the Final.
Embed from Getty ImagesHaving narrowly escaped a red card for denying Erling Haaland a potential goal-scoring opportunity, Henderson made amends by saving Omar Marmoush’s penalty in the 36th minute.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere was a debate between Haaland and Marmoush about who should take the penalty, but in the end, the Norwegian passed the ball to the Egyptian, who failed to take his opportunity due to Henderson’s brilliance.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis was a sign that today would be Palace’s day, remarkably after Henderson escaped being punished by referee Stuart Attwell and VAR.
Henderson also pulled off another great save to deny Jeremy Doku..
Embed from Getty ImagesChris Richards also helped his keeper by denying Haaland a free header on goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesDaniel Muñoz’s attempt to make it 2-0 was prevented by VAR for offside.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Muñoz redeemed himself with a vital block to deny Nico O’Reilly from making it 1-1.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd Henderson capped up his outstanding performance in goal to deny Claudio Echeverri from taking it to extra time.
Embed from Getty ImagesTrophy Curse Broken
Embed from Getty ImagesA delighted Oliver Glasner dedicated the FA Cup win to all Palace fans. This was the perfect way to end a season that started so poorly.
“As football players or managers our biggest achievement is to give the fans a moment for their lives. We had a difficult start to the season [winning none of the first eight league games] – in difficult moments you need someone who hugs, not kicks you, so this is for the fans. The connection with the Crystal Palace players will stay for ever.”
Glasner: The Guardian
Of course, the club has won two Championship play-off finals: against West Ham in 2004 and Watford in 2013.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut can this victory start a bright future, as they enter the Europa League for the first time?
Trophyless Season For City
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is the first time since 2016-17 that Guardiola’s side has gone a whole season without silverware. This was his first season at the club.
Embed from Getty ImagesCity fans may argue that injuries to key players such as Rodri haven’t helped their case, but that is still inexcusable, given that they reinforced their squad in January.
They are still in a four-way battle with Newcastle United, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa for next season’s Champions League.
Should they win their last two games against AFC Bournemouth and Fulham, that should be enough to secure a place.
However, one more slip-up, and it could be curtains for them.
Guardiola On Penalty
The City boss’s reaction to the penalty conundrum was a relatively sedate.
“I don’t know, I didn’t speak to them. They made a decision. They decide.”
Guardiola: Mirror
In reaction to Henderson’s potential red card, Guardiola also refused to go into detail.
“Ask the referee,”
Guadiola
From that reaction, you could clearly see the frustration in his eyes, as Henderson was lucky to be on the pitch.
But this was Palace’s day, and whatever luck was on their side, they used it to their full advantage, and they thoroughly deserved to win the Cup, as they had been the best side throughout the competition.
For more information on Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win over Manchester City, visit World In Sport.