In a stunning display of grit and determination, Crystal Palace clinched their first major trophy in 120 years, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025. The victory, sparked by a 16th-minute strike from local hero Eberechi Eze, not only etched the Eagles’ name into the history books but also secured their maiden qualification for the UEFA Europa League, marking a monumental moment for the south London club.
The match was a classic underdog tale. Palace, sitting 12th in the Premier League with no realistic chance of European qualification through league standings, faced a Manchester City side that, despite a faltering season, remained heavy favorites. Manager Oliver Glasner, who replaced Roy Hodgson in February 2024, masterminded a tactical setup that frustrated City’s star-studded lineup. Palace’s deep defensive block, coupled with lightning-fast counterattacks, proved too much for Pep Guardiola’s experimental, midfielder-less formation. Eze’s goal, a clinical finish from a Daniel Munoz cross, came against the run of play, but Palace’s resolve held firm through a second-half siege. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, whose performance was dedicated to his late father, Dougie, was colossal, saving a first-half penalty from Omar Marmoush and denying Jeremy Doku and debutant Claudio Echeverri in the dying moments.
Controversy swirled when Henderson appeared to handle the ball outside his box in the first half, but referee Stuart Attwell and VAR Jarred Gillett waved away City’s protests, prompting criticism from pundits like Roy Keane and Ian Wright. Glasner, the first Austrian manager to win the FA Cup, admitted to crossing his fingers during the review, while Guardiola declined to dwell on the incident, focusing instead on his team’s inability to break Palace’s resolute defense. A disallowed goal by Munoz in the second half, ruled out for an offside on Ismaila Sarr, added to the drama, but Palace stood firm, with American defender Chris Richards and the tireless Jean-Philippe Mateta proving instrumental.
The victory, celebrated wildly by Palace’s purple-and-blue-clad supporters, ended a 164-year wait for major silverware, following final losses to Manchester United in 1990 and 2016. It also guaranteed a Europa League spot for the 2025-26 season, a first for the club, which last played in Europe 27 years ago in the now-defunct Intertoto Cup. Glasner, who led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022, dedicated the triumph to Palace’s patient fans, who endured a woeful start to the season with no league win until late October. “In difficult moments, you need someone who hugs, not kicks you,” Glasner said, praising the supporters’ unwavering loyalty.
Chairman Steve Parish hailed Glasner’s transformative impact, noting that the Austrian’s belief had galvanized the squad and fanbase alike. The £2 million prize money was a bonus, but the real reward was the prospect of European nights at Selhurst Park. For Eze, the match-winner, the moment was bittersweet, as his dazzling display fueled speculation about a potential summer move, with Arsenal reportedly circling. Yet, for now, Palace fans reveled in their hero’s decisive contribution, with social media posts buzzing about the club’s historic achievement and its ripple effects on the Premier League’s European race.
Palace’s win reshapes the qualification landscape. With the Eagles taking one of two Europa League spots allocated to English clubs, the second will go to the team finishing sixth in the Premier League, currently Manchester City. The UEFA Conference League place, typically for the seventh-placed side, could shift if Newcastle United, the EFL Cup winners, secure a higher finish, potentially opening a spot for the next eligible team.