Eberechi Eze’s goal hands Crystal Palace FA Cup

Crystal Palace beat Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday to win the first major trophy in the club’s history.

Nigerian-born England midfielder Eberechi Eze scored in the 16th minute and Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saved an Omar Marmoush penalty as City lost the Wembley showpiece for the second season in a row.

While Eze’s clinical finish was the culmination of his remarkable rise from rejection by Arsenal, Fulham and Millwall as a youngster, it was Henderson who emerged as Palace’s hero with a series of superb saves.

Henderson also saved Omar Marmoush’s penalty after 36 minutes following Tyrick Mitchell’s foul on Bernardo Silva, to ensure Palace clinched the first major trophy in their 120-year history and a place in next season’s Europa League.

City dominated possession but Oliver Glasner’s side defended magnificently, with Henderson outstanding, saving from Haaland, Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku in the first half, then denying Claudio Echeverri after the break.

The final whistle sparked scenes of ecstasy among Palace fans as the long wait for success was over for the Eagles.
Beaten by Manchester United in their previous FA Cup final appearances in 1990 and 2016, Palace’s shock win was no more than they deserved as City once again imploded in a dismal season that will be their first without major silverware since 2016-17.

After winning the Premier League in the previous four seasons, City have endured a turbulent campaign that ranks among the worst in Guardiola’s storied managerial career.

Currently sixth in the Premier League, City host Bournemouth on Tuesday and travel to Fulham on May 25 as they try to salvage their wretched year by at least qualifying for the Champions League.

Guardiola had questioned his players’ hunger as they failed to keep pace with Liverpool in the title race and crashed out of the Champions League.