THE EAGLES HAVE WON IT

 

Image Credit- The Hindu.

On 17th May 2025, Crystal Palace F.C. scripted history when they defeated Manchester City in the final of the F.A. Cup. Interestingly, it was their major trophy in their 120-year-old history. Hence the silverware was special, very special. Winger Eberechi Eze's goal in the first half and goalie Dean Henderson's penalty save gave the Eagles a 1-0 victory. 

Interestingly, City dominated the first few minutes of play after Pep Guardiola selected a potent attacking squad. When he struck a deep cross to the far post in the sixth minute, Erling Haaland had the first clear-cut opportunity, but Palace keeper Dean Henderson stopped it for a corner. Henderson saved headers from Gvardiol and Akanji as City continued their dominance and had multiple corners. 

Crystal Palace, however, counterattacked City against the flow of play after defender Chris Richards cleared the ball up-field to Jean-Philippe Mateta, who then released Daniel Muñoz to race up the wing and cross in from the right for Eberechi Eze to first-time volley and score in the 16th minute after a neat one-two with Daichi Kamada. However, City was given a penalty in the 36th minute after Tyrick Mitchell of Palace was deemed to have fouled Bernardo Silva of City, who had already begun to fall when Mitchell made a sliding challenge. Henderson, however, stopped Omar Marmoush's penalty attempt down to his right and stopped Haaland's subsequent attempt. At the end of the first half, the Eagles had a 1-0 lead over the heavyweights. 

In the second half, Manchester City attacked like anything. However, the Crystal Palace defense stood strong and resisted every attack. Echeverri had two excellent chances to score in the 95th minute, but Palace keeper Henderson saved the first one, and Palace defenders blocked his second attempt to stop a certain goal. Prior to the referee ultimately blowing his whistle to end the match and award Crystal Palace their first-ever FA Cup on the third try, Palace managed to hold out reasonably comfortably for the final five minutes. It was truly a game that no Eagle fan will ever forget. After all, the team gave their blood on the pitch.

Joel Ward, the final remaining Palace player from the 2016 FA Cup Final, who was leaving at the end of the season after 13 years, was given the honor of lifting the Cup with captain Marc Guehi as Palace won their first major trophy in 120 years.