Crystal Palace Win 2025 FA Cup with 1–0 Victory Over Man City
By Wafric - Sport
Wafric News – May 18, 2025
Wembley, London –Crystal Palace stunned reigning giants Manchester City with a 1-0 victory at Wembley Stadium to lift their first-ever major trophy — the FA Cup.
The hero of the day? Eberechi Eze — the south London-born forward of Nigerian descent — whose 16th-minute volley not only broke City hearts but sparked a night of unforgettable celebration across south London.
For Palace, a club often in the shadows of English football's elite, this victory was nothing short of historic. It marked redemption for two previous FA Cup final defeats (1990 and 2016) and crowned a remarkable turnaround under Austrian manager Oliver Glasner, who now becomes the first Austrian to win the FA Cup.
Henderson Stands Tall, City Fall Again
While Eze’s strike electrified the stadium, it was goalkeeper Dean Henderson, a former Manchester United man, who emerged as the final’s unsung hero — pulling off a series of jaw-dropping saves, including a crucial penalty stop, to deny a relentless but wasteful City.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saves Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush’s penalty kick
Manchester City, usually clinical, squandered a host of chances and were left ruing their missed opportunities. Omar Marmoush, City’s January signing, saw his tame penalty saved by Henderson as City's domestic season ended in disappointment for the second consecutive year.
Despite having 81% possession, City were repeatedly frustrated by Palace’s compact defensive block and the sheer resilience shown by Glasner’s men.
Eze’s Moment, South London’s Glory
Palace's only goal came against the run of play. After withstanding intense early pressure, they countered with surgical precision. Jean-Philippe Mateta played in Daniel Muñoz, whose cross was met perfectly by Eze — a first-time volley flying past Stefan Ortega to ignite the sea of purple and blue in the stands.
Though City pushed for an equaliser, Palace held firm. Henderson denied efforts from Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol, and Jeremy Doku, while VAR played its part too — first sparing Henderson a red card and later ruling out a second Palace goal for offside.
City’s final attempt came deep in the 10 minutes of added time, but as the whistle finally blew, the stadium erupted with chants of “Glad All Over,” the club’s iconic anthem.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Joel Ward lift the trophy as they celebrate with teammates after winning the FA Cup
The Bigger Picture
The result is a symbolic shift in English football’s landscape — at least for the day. Pep Guardiola’s City, after years of domestic dominance, end the season trophyless for the first time since 2016–17.
For Palace, this wasn’t just a football victory — it was a cultural moment. A south London club often overlooked, led by a multicultural squad and inspired by local talent, finally carved its name into the books of football glory.
As fireworks lit up the Wembley sky and Eze embraced his family on the pitch, Palace fans knew — they weren’t just celebrating a cup win. They were celebrating a new chapter in their history.
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