Ryan Wild
Eberechi Eze’s early volley and Dean Henderson’s heroics deliver Crystal Palace’s first major silverware, securing Europa League qualification.
Crystal Palace secured their first major trophy in their 164-year history with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on 17 May 2025. An enthralling encounter played before an 84,163-strong crowd saw the south London side defy the odds to claim the club’s first piece of silverware, ending a campaign that captured the imagination of supporters across London and beyond.
The decisive moment arrived just before the quarter-hour mark when winger Eberechi Eze met a pinpoint cross from full-back Daniel Muñoz with a first-time volley, capping a swift counter-attacking move that began with a clever lay-off from Jean-Philippe Mateta. Eze’s strike arrowed past City keeper Ederson and nestled in the bottom corner, triggering wild celebrations among the Palace faithful.
Despite dominating possession and territory, Manchester City were unable to fashion a way through Palace’s resolute defence. The afternoon’s pivotal moment came when goalkeeper Dean Henderson, making only his second appearance for Palace since joining on loan, produced a stunning save to deny Omar Marmoush from the penalty spot in the 36th minute after Tyrick Mitchell was adjudged to have fouled Bernardo Silva. Henderson then thwarted Erling Haaland shortly afterwards, while Daichi Kamada and Muñoz marshalled City’s advances with several vital interventions.
Manager Oliver Glasner, the first Austrian to lift the FA Cup, was full of praise for his players’ unyielding spirit. “This victory was a one-in-10 shot,” Glasner acknowledged, “but my team believed in themselves and showed what Crystal Palace can achieve.” He added a note of caution, urging focus to ensure the club does not become a fleeting success. “We must follow this pathway to avoid being one-hit wonders,” he warned in the post-match press conference.
Beyond the obvious delight at Wembley, Glasner also highlighted the collective effort behind the scenes. He paid tribute to his coaching staff, medical team and analysts for their tireless work in preparing the squad both physically and mentally. “Every player understood their role,” he said, “and credit must go to those in the background who set the standards at Selhurst Park every day.” Reflecting on his own journey, he admitted that adapting to the Premier League’s relentless pace had been a steep learning curve but insisted that the club’s unity had proven decisive. Looking ahead, Glasner spoke of maintaining the same intensity in training and recruitment, insisting that fresh faces must buy into the Palace ethos. “This club is built on resilience,” he added, “and while today belongs to the players, tomorrow’s victories will depend on our ability to evolve without losing our identity.” Reuters
On the other side, Pep Guardiola was left to rue his side’s profligacy in front of goal and a controversial VAR decision that might have seen Henderson sent off early on. “We had over 70 per cent possession but needed more quality in the final third,” Guardiola reflected, lamenting a season that ended without domestic silverware for the first time since 2016–17. His City charges must now regroup ahead of next season’s challenges.
The triumph not only brought long-awaited glory to Selhurst Park but also secured Palace a place in the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League, marking their first full European campaign beyond the now-defunct Intertoto Cup. The victory also grants Palace the opportunity to contest the FA Community Shield against Premier League champions Liverpool in August, offering another shot at silverware.
Chairman Steve Parish has signalled the club will reinvest in the squad to cope with the demands of European football in the coming season. Glasner, however, stressed the importance of measured growth, warning against a reckless spending spree. “Since our promotion in 2013, this club always progressed,” he explained. “Playing in Europe may help us recruit players we could not attract before, but we must follow our pathway step by step.”
Eze’s match-winning contribution “sparked a massive south London party” among supporters, with jubilant scenes reverberating across nearby streets and at Selhurst Park long after the final whistle. Banners adorned with slogans such as “Finally, Silverware!” and “Eze Is Believethe” were raised high as an ecstatic crowd savoured a moment that will live long in the memories of every Palace supporter.
With this historic victory, Crystal Palace has redefined expectations at the club and in south London. The attention of supporters now turns to August’s Community Shield, where they will bid to add further silverware to the club’s cabinet, while Manchester City plan their response ahead of another gruelling campaign. Beyond Wembley, Palace’s triumph has already begun to resonate across the borough, galvanising local businesses and community groups who see the club’s success as a source of civic pride. Season-ticket renewals are expected to surge, and early indications suggest the club may break its highest-ever membership record as fans clamber for a front-row seat in what promises to be an exhilarating European adventure. Balancing domestic fixtures with Europa League commitments will test the squad’s depth, but chairman Steve Parish has hinted at strategic recruitment to bolster key areas without disrupting the club’s ethos. As the summer unfolds, the focus will shift to pre-season preparations — from fitness camps to high-profile friendlies — as Palace aim to build on their fairy-tale season rather than rest on its laurels. With momentum firmly on their side, the Eagles are determined to prove that Wembley was not a solitary high point but the launchpad for sustained success.
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David jones
