Eze Leads Crystal Palace to Historic FA Cup Win Over Man City

Crystal Palace etched their name into history with a stunning 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley, securing their first major trophy. Eberechi Eze was the hero of the day, scoring the only goal after 16 minutes. His well-placed finish followed a swift counter-attack, expertly set up by a pinpoint cross from Daniel Munoz.

The match was marked by drama and controversy. Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson handled the ball outside the box under pressure from Erling Haaland, sparking outrage from City players. However, VAR opted not to send him off, ruling that Haaland was moving away from goal and thus not in a clear scoring position.

Henderson continued to be pivotal, saving a penalty from Omar Marmoush after a foul by Tyrick Mitchell on Bernardo Silva. Haaland, who missed three of his last seven penalties, did not take the spot-kick. City dominated possession but found themselves repeatedly denied by Henderson’s heroic saves, including critical stops against Haaland, Josko Gvardiol, and Jeremy Doku in the first half, and Claudio Echeverri in the second.

The final whistle brought scenes of jubilation among Palace fans, as the club celebrated its first taste of major silverware, ending decades of waiting with a historic triumph over one of the Premier League’s giants.

Editorial

Crystal Palace’s FA Cup victory is a testament to the magic of football and the power of resilience. For far too long, Palace has been seen as a mid table side, occasionally flirting with cup runs but never quite sealing the deal. That changed dramatically at Wembley, where Eberechi Eze’s goal and Dean Henderson’s heroics stunned Manchester City and brought the FA Cup to Selhurst Park for the very first time.

Palace’s win was not a fluke it was the result of grit, tactical discipline, and sheer belief. City may have controlled possession, but it was Palace that controlled their destiny. Dean Henderson’s daring saves were the backbone of a defence that refused to be broken. His controversial handling incident could have easily swung the game in City’s favour, but fortune favoured the bold, and Henderson rose to the occasion with poise and authority.

For Manchester City, this loss marks the end of an era of unbroken dominance. Pep Guardiola’s side had not finished a season without a trophy since 2016-17. Palace’s triumph serves as a stark reminder that football remains gloriously unpredictable, where heart and spirit can still overcome financial might and world-class squads.

This is a new dawn for Crystal Palace. Their FA Cup triumph is more than just a trophy it is proof that dreams long deferred can finally be realised. The spirit displayed on the pitch at Wembley signals that this could be the start of something greater for the Eagles. As they lift the cup, they lift the expectations of their fans and the hopes of clubs everywhere that persistence and belief can still carve out fairy tales.

Did You Know?

1. Crystal Palace was founded in 1905, but this FA Cup win marks their first major trophy in 120 years of existence.
2. Dean Henderson’s penalty save in the final was his third FA Cup penalty save in his career, highlighting his knack for performing under pressure.
3. Eberechi Eze became the first Crystal Palace player to score in an FA Cup final since 1990, when the club last reached the final but lost to Manchester United.
4. Manchester City had won at least one trophy every season since 2017, making this their first trophyless campaign in eight years.
5. The FA Cup is the oldest national football competition in the world, first played during the 1871–72 season, making Palace’s victory a historic chapter in English football.