Crystal Palace shocked Manchester City on Saturday to secure the FA Cup for the first time, with Eberechi Eze’s decisive goal sealing a 1-0 victory that compounded the misery for Pep Guardiola’s beleaguered side.
Eze’s early strike sent ripples through City, while Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saved Omar Marmoush’s penalty just before half-time in a dramatic final at Wembley.
Eze’s clinical finish epitomised his remarkable comeback from rejection by Arsenal, Fulham, and Millwall during his youth, but it was Henderson who emerged as Palace’s hero with a series of outstanding saves.
City will argue that Henderson should have been sent off for a handball outside his penalty area in the first half.
However, Henderson capitalised on that contentious moment, ensuring Palace clinched the first major trophy in their 120-year history and secured a place in next season’s Europa League.
After losing to Manchester United in their previous FA Cup final appearances in 1990 and 2016, Palace’s surprise victory was thoroughly deserved, while City once again faltered in a disappointing season that marks their first without major silverware since 2016-17.
Having dominated the Premier League in the previous four seasons, City have faced a tumultuous campaign that ranks among the worst in Guardiola’s illustrious managerial career.
Currently sitting sixth in the Premier League, City will host Bournemouth on Tuesday and travel to Fulham on May 25, aiming to salvage their disappointing season by at least qualifying for the Champions League.
Guardiola had expressed doubts about his players’ hunger as they struggled to keep up with Liverpool in the title race and exited the Champions League.
While desire may not have been lacking against Palace, City’s lack of direction during their second successive FA Cup final defeat was a troubling sign for the future, as Guardiola was outsmarted by Eagles manager Oliver Glasner.
Not for the first time, Guardiola surprised with his selection, opting for an ultra-attacking formation with no holding midfielder.
However, his tendency to tinker with tactics for finals has backfired in the past.
When questioned about City’s line-up just before kick-off, Guardiola said he was relying on “talent”, but Glasner had identified an opportunity, stating: “When you have so many attacking players, it could give you an advantage in transitions.”
Erling Haaland nearly gave City the perfect start, stretching to meet Kevin De Bruyne’s cross with a volley that forced a scrambling save from Henderson.
Josko Gvardiol’s towering header from Savinho’s corner was expertly thwarted by Henderson.
Glasner’s astute decision to set up Palace deep within their own half lured City in for the sucker punch.
Eze delivered the knockout blow from Palace’s first attack in the 16th minute, as Glasner’s men launched a brilliant counter from their penalty area.
Jean-Philippe Mateta held up Chris Richards’ long pass and laid it off to Daniel Munoz, who surged down the right flank before crossing to Eze, who guided a splendid volley past Stefan Ortega from 12 yards.
City were incensed when Henderson escaped a red card after a VAR check revealed his handball occurred outside the area when he rushed out to challenge Haaland.
VAR deemed it “not an obvious goal-scoring opportunity”, but it proved crucial as Henderson rescued Palace in the 35th minute.
Tyrick Mitchell conceded a penalty with a needless foul on Bernardo Silva as the City midfielder moved away from goal.
Instead of Haaland taking the spot-kick, it was Marmoush who stepped up following a disastrous decision by the Norwegian, as Henderson dove to his right to deny the Egyptian’s effort.
Henderson continued his inspired performance, thwarting City again by clawing away a Jeremy Doku strike that seemed destined for the top corner.
Defending resolutely, Palace were grateful to Henderson, who made two more brilliant saves from Claudio Echeverri, capping a chastening afternoon for Guardiola.
