In a stunning upset at Wembley, Crystal Palace defeated Manchester City 1–0 in the 2025 FA Cup Final, claiming the first major trophy in the club’s 119-year history. The victory came courtesy of a brilliant early goal from Eberechi Eze, whose strike delivered a fairy-tale ending to Palace’s cup campaign.
Palace Shock Favorites Manchester City
Coming into the final as clear underdogs, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace adopted a defensive but disciplined approach against the reigning Premier League champions.
- Manchester City dominated early possession, dictating the tempo.
- Palace remained composed and waited for their moment to strike.
That moment arrived in the 16th minute.
Eze’s Volley Breaks Deadlock
A well-worked counterattack saw Daniel Muñoz whip in a perfect cross into the box. Eberechi Eze connected with a sublime volley, sending the ball past goalkeeper Ederson and igniting the Palace supporters at Wembley.
- ⚽ 16′ – Eberechi Eze scores (Assist: Daniel Muñoz)
VAR Controversy and Heroics from Dean Henderson
Just minutes later, controversy erupted. Dean Henderson, Palace’s goalkeeper, handled the ball outside the box while attempting to thwart Erling Haaland. Manchester City appealed for a red card.
- VAR Review: Ruled no red card due to the angle of Haaland’s run, determining it wasn’t an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
This decision added to the drama when Henderson saved a penalty from Omar Marmoush in the 36th minute.
- 🧤 36′ – Penalty saved by Dean Henderson
Second Goal Denied, City Struggle to Respond
Crystal Palace nearly doubled their lead early in the second half. Muñoz finished from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside, as Ismaïla Sarr was deemed to have interfered with play.
City threw on reinforcements, including 18-year-old Claudio Echeverri, making his debut after a high-profile move from River Plate, but it wasn’t enough.
- Kevin De Bruyne missed a late volley.
- Palace defender Chris Richards put in a standout performance, blocking several key attempts.
Nail-Biting Finish and Historic Triumph
Manchester City piled on the pressure during 10 minutes of added time, with Palace defending deep and surviving a late handball scare in the box.
But the final whistle eventually blew, confirming:
- 🏆 Crystal Palace 1 – 0 Manchester City
- First FA Cup title in club history
- First season without a trophy for Pep Guardiola since 2016–17
What This Win Means for Crystal Palace
This victory does not just etch Palace’s name in FA Cup folklore—it secures a spot in the UEFA Europa League next season. It also cements manager Oliver Glasner’s position as a hero at Selhurst Park.
Key Takeaways:
- Goal Scorer: Eberechi Eze (16′)
- MOTM: Dean Henderson (Penalty save, key defensive performance)
- Trophy: Palace’s first major silverware
- European Qualification: UEFA Europa League 2025/26
Looking Ahead
For Crystal Palace fans, May 17, 2025, will forever be remembered. A team once seen as outsiders has now secured its place among Europe’s elite for the coming season.
Meanwhile, Manchester City, after years of domestic dominance, face a summer of reflection after finishing the season without silverware.
