In the FA Cup grand final, Crystal Palace managed to defeat Manchester City in a match where the Citizens had everything—except the desire needed to achieve what Crystal Palace has been yearning for for over 100 years!🏆 @CPFC are your 2024-25 #EmiratesFACup winners 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ufAyghAUIS— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 17, 2025 The first half of the FA Cup final delivered a thrilling battle at Wembley, with underdogs Crystal Palace taking a surprising 1–0 lead into the break against Manchester City.City started the match with early pressure, creating several chances. In the 7th minute, Erling Haaland found himself on the end of a cross inside the box, but his shot toward the bottom left corner was comfortably saved by Dean Henderson. Just minutes later, Josko Gvardiol rose highest from a corner and directed a powerful header toward the right post, only for Henderson to produce a brilliant diving save. Manuel Akanji nearly capitalized on the following corner in the 14th minute, but his header flew just over the crossbar.Now this, is a photo 🤌#CPFC pic.twitter.com/YVUEI9xeyN— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 17, 2025 Against the run of play, Crystal Palace struck first in the 17th minute. Eberechi Eze latched onto a through ball from Daniel Munoz and showed calm composure to slot it past Stefan Ortega into the bottom left corner, giving Palace a shock 1–0 lead. You can see the goal HERE!Palace nearly doubled their lead three minutes later when Ismaila Sarr found space in the box and fired a low effort on target, but Ortega kept City alive with a superb last-ditch save.City were handed a golden opportunity to equalize in the 33rd minute after a reckless challenge from Tyrick Mitchell in the box led to a penalty. However, Omar Marmoush’s effort was brilliantly denied by Dean Henderson, diving to his left to keep Palace in front.Dean Henderson, that is MASSIVE 😤 pic.twitter.com/Aw4r62Mwbt— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 17, 2025 City continued to press, and Jeremy Doku threatened just before halftime, weaving through defenders in the 43rd minute and aiming for the right side of the goal, but Henderson once again proved impenetrable.Despite City’s dominance in chances and possession, it was Crystal Palace who took their opportunities and defended bravely. They head into the second half with a 1–0 advantage, thanks in large part to a standout performance from goalkeeper Dean Henderson.What a start 👏#CPFC pic.twitter.com/zMnmo08aTk— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 17, 2025 The second half at Wembley opened with Manchester City urgently pushing for an equalizer, but the story remained much the same — missed chances and resilient defending from Crystal Palace.Just four minutes after the restart, in the 49th minute, Jeremy Doku latched onto an overhit cross from Savinho and tried his luck with a first-time shot, but it narrowly cleared the bar.City kept pressing. In the 57th minute, Erling Haaland saw his initial shot blocked inside the box. The ball rebounded straight back to him, but his follow-up effort lacked precision and flew well wide of the goal — a rare off day in front of goal for the Norwegian striker.Daniel Munoz has the ball in the back of the net – but VAR has disallowed it 🚫🦅 1-0 🔵#CRYMCI | #FACup pic.twitter.com/675bkhEPur— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) May 17, 2025 Then came a dramatic moment in the 59th minute. Crystal Palace thought they had doubled their lead when Daniel Munoz tapped into an empty net after a scramble left the City keeper stranded. However, jubilation quickly turned to frustration as referee Stuart Attwell was advised to check the goal with VAR. After a brief review, the goal was disallowed due to an offside in the buildup, keeping City’s hopes alive.Manchester City maintained the initiative and had another great chance in the 83rd minute when Echeverri found himself in a good position on the right side, but Crystal Palace’s goalkeeper once again proved that this was his day by saving the shot.FA CUP – FINALCrystal Palace – Manchester City 1-0 (1-0)/Eze 17/
