End of a 120-Year Wait: Crystal Palace Make History by Beating Man City

In a dramatic FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, Crystal Palace stunned football giants Manchester City with a 1-0 victory, securing the first major trophy in the club’s 120-year history. The win also booked their place in next season’s UEFA Europa League.
From the beginning, City were on the front foot, pushing hard for an early goal. Star striker Erling Haaland had a golden opportunity in just the 5th minute but failed to convert. Against the run of play, Crystal Palace struck first—Eberechi Eze netted a brilliant goal in the 16th minute to give his side the lead.
City had a chance to equalize in the 33rd minute when Bernardo Silva was fouled in the box, earning a penalty. However, Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson pulled off a stunning save to deny Haaland from the spot.
The second half brought even more drama. In the 57th minute, Munoz found the net, but VAR ruled the goal offside. The match also saw a controversial moment when Henderson appeared to handle the ball outside the box but escaped a red card. Minutes later, he made another heroic save—this time denying Omar Marmoush’s penalty and preserving Palace’s slender lead.
Despite relentless pressure and 10 minutes of added time, Guardiola’s men failed to break down Palace’s solid defense. As the final whistle blew, Crystal Palace celebrated a historic triumph.

With this defeat, Manchester City ended the season without a trophy for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut campaign in 2016-17. It’s also their second consecutive FA Cup final loss, beaten by local rivals Manchester United last season.
For Crystal Palace, this win is far more than just a title. It’s a defining moment in their century-long journey—etched forever in the annals of English football.