In a historic encounter at Wembley Stadium, Crystal Palace clinched their first-ever major trophy with a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final. The match was a testament to the resilience and determination of Palace, who overcame a shaky start to the season to achieve this monumental success.
The game’s decisive moment came early, as Eberechi Eze scored the only goal in the 16th minute. Daniel Munoz orchestrated the attack, sprinting down the right flank and delivering a low cross that Eze expertly finished, sending the Palace supporters into raptures. It was a fairy-tale start for the Eagles, who had struggled in the Premier League prior to this remarkable cup run.
Despite their attacking prowess, Manchester City was unable to find a way past Palace’s goalkeeper, Dean Henderson, who delivered a man-of-the-match performance. Henderson’s pivotal moment came shortly after Eze’s goal when he was involved in a controversial incident that could have seen him dismissed. A handball outside the box while attempting to thwart Erling Haaland led to a penalty for City after Tyrick Mitchell’s challenge on Bernardo Silva. However, VAR deemed that Henderson had not denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, allowing him to remain on the pitch. He later saved Omar Marmoush’s penalty, further solidifying his position as the hero of the day.
As the match progressed, City ramped up the pressure. They almost found an equalizer, but Henderson was resolute, denying attempts from Haaland and Josko Gvardiol. Palace thought they had doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Munoz found the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. The tension grew as City pushed for a late goal, but Henderson was relentless, saving two efforts from 18-year-old Claudio Echeverri in the final minutes.
This victory marked a significant turnaround for Crystal Palace, who endured a dismal start to the season, failing to secure a win until late October. Manager Oliver Glasner’s faith in his players and his approach during difficult times paid off, culminating in a day of celebration for the club and its fans. Chairman Steve Parish expressed immense pride in the team’s journey, echoing the sentiments of their supporters as the anthem “Glad All Over” resonated throughout Wembley.
As the final whistle blew, the significance of this victory extended beyond the trophy itself; it represented a turning point for Crystal Palace and a moment of joy that will be cherished by the club and its supporters for years to come. The triumph not only secured their first FA Cup but also a spot in the Europa League, further enhancing the club’s journey into European competition.
