Eze the Hero as Crystal Palace Make History with FA Cup Triumph Over Manchester City
Eberechi Eze’s stunning volley and Dean Henderson’s penalty heroics deliver Crystal Palace their first-ever major trophy and a historic ticket to European football.
In a stunning and unforgettable night at Wembley Stadium, Crystal Palace etched their name into English football history by lifting their first-ever major trophy, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the 2025 FA Cup Final.
The historic victory not only handed the Eagles their maiden FA Cup title, but also secured them a spot in European competition for the first time ever.
Eze the Legend: The man for the big moment
The game’s only goal came early, in the 16th minute, from none other than Eberechi Eze, who fired in a sensational volley to give Palace the lead.
The goal capped a remarkable FA Cup campaign for Eze, who also scored in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and now the final. The midfielder has quickly written himself into club folklore, with fans already calling him a Crystal Palace legend.
Henderson the hero
While Eze grabbed the headlines, Dean Henderson may have been the unsung hero. The Palace goalkeeper made a crucial penalty save in the first half, denying Omar Marmoush after Tyrick Mitchell fouled Bernardo Silva in the box. The save kept Palace’s slim lead intact and gave the team a much-needed confidence boost.
Manchester City, as expected, dominated possession and mounted relentless pressure throughout the match. But Palace, tactically disciplined and defensively resolute, managed to hold their nerve, all thanks to Henderson and a rock-solid backline.
Guardiola’s Gamble Backfires
Before the match even kicked off, murmurs of concern ran through the Manchester City fanbase when Pep Guardiola opted to start the game without a natural defensive midfielder. That gamble appeared costly as City struggled to contain Palace’s counters and offered too much space around the box space which Eze exploited brilliantly for the goal.
City continued to press for an equalizer in the second half, but Palace bunkered down in a well-organized defensive block. Haaland, largely isolated and tightly marked, failed to make an impact in yet another final.
Glory for the Eagles, Heartbreak for the Champions
For Crystal Palace fans, it was a night of joy, relief, and celebration. After decades of waiting, near misses, and heartbreak, the club finally has silverware to show for its efforts. The victory also means they will be competing in Europe next season, marking a new chapter in their history.
On the other side, Manchester City end the season trophyless, a rare outcome for a side used to dominance under Guardiola. Despite reaching multiple finals and chasing titles on all fronts, this season will be seen as one of missed opportunities.
Palace soar into the future
As the final whistle blew, Palace fans erupted into celebrations that continued long into the night. For a club often considered underdogs in the Premier League, this victory was more than just a cup, it was a symbol of belief, growth, and what the future could hold.
From Eze’s magic to Henderson’s heroics, Crystal Palace have officially arrived on the big stage and they’re not done yet.
