Crystal Palace Claim Historic FA Cup Glory with 1-0 Upset Over Manchester City

On a thrilling evening at Wembley Stadium, Crystal Palace etched their name into football history by defeating Manchester City 1-0 to win the 2025 FA Cup final on May 17, 2025. Eberechi Eze’s sublime first-half goal proved the difference, as Palace’s steely resolve and tactical brilliance outshone the Premier League champions, delivering the South London club their first-ever FA Cup triumph.

Eze’s Brilliance Lights Up Wembley

The final kicked off with Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, dictating the tempo as expected, their intricate passing game pinning Palace back early on. Yet, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace embraced their underdog status, soaking up pressure with a compact defensive shape while eyeing counter-attacking opportunities. Their moment arrived in the 34th minute, courtesy of their star man, Eberechi Eze.

Breaking swiftly down the left after a City move faltered, Palace found Eze in space, fed by a precise pass from Jean-Philippe Mateta. The 26-year-old danced past Josko Gvardiol, shifted the ball onto his right foot, and unleashed a stunning strike from 20 yards that soared into the top corner, leaving Ederson helpless. The Palace end of Wembley erupted, sensing a historic upset was within reach. Eze’s goal, a blend of technique and audacity, set the stage for an unforgettable night.

Palace’s Defensive Heroics Thwart City

Manchester City, stung by the deficit, poured forward in search of an equalizer. Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden orchestrated wave after wave of attacks, but Palace’s backline, anchored by Marc Guéhi and Joachim Andersen, was impenetrable. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson shone brightest, denying Haaland with a reflex save from a point-blank header and later tipping a De Bruyne free-kick over the bar.

Palace’s midfield, led by the tireless Cheick Doucouré and young star Adam Wharton, harried City relentlessly, breaking up play and limiting space for City’s creators. Guardiola turned to his bench, introducing Bernardo Silva and January 2025 signing Omar Marmoush, who joined City to bolster their attack after Julián Álvarez’s 2024 move to Atlético Madrid. Despite City’s possession nearing 73%, clear chances were scarce, with Palace’s disciplined shape and relentless work rate frustrating the champions.

A Monumental Victory

As referee Anthony Taylor blew the final whistle, Wembley became a cauldron of red and blue jubilation. Crystal Palace, who had never won the FA Cup and last reached the final in 2016, celebrated a triumph that will resonate for generations. Players and fans alike shared emotional scenes, with Eze mobbed by teammates and Glasner embracing his staff, all aware of the magnitude of their achievement.

Oliver Glasner, the architect of Palace’s success, hailed his team’s spirit: “This is a dream for everyone at Crystal Palace. We believed we could do something special, and every player gave everything. Eze’s goal was world-class, but our heart won this.” Captain Marc Guéhi, lifting the trophy, dedicated the win to the fans: “They’ve stuck with us through everything. This is theirs.”

Pep Guardiola, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Palace’s brilliance: “They were fantastic in defense and took their chance. We couldn’t find the breakthrough, but congratulations to Palace—they earned it.”

Eze Steals the Show

Eberechi Eze was deservedly named Player of the Match, his ninth goal of the season proving the defining moment. The England international’s dazzling display, capped by his wonderstrike, underlined his growing reputation as a premier talent. Pundit Alan Shearer, speaking on BBC, enthused, “Eze was unplayable at times. That goal was pure magic, and he carried Palace to glory.”

A New Chapter for Palace

The victory secures Crystal Palace a place in the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League, assuming they don’t qualify via their Premier League position, and marks a high point in the club’s 120-year history. For Manchester City, the loss stings but is unlikely to derail their ambitions, with the Premier League and Champions League still in their sights.

As Palace supporters poured out of Wembley, singing Eze’s name and dreaming of European nights, the 2025 FA Cup final cemented itself as the day Crystal Palace defied the odds to claim footballing immortality. The red and blue of South London will forever cherish this moment, when their heroes toppled a giant to lift the FA Cup.