Crystal Palace Lift First-Ever Major Trophy After 119 Years with Historic FA Cup Triumph
Crystal Palace etched their name into footballing folklore by claiming their first major trophy in 119 years with a stunning 1-0 win over Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final at Wembley. In a performance marked by resilience and precision, Eberechi Eze’s 16th-minute strike proved decisive, completing a swift counter-attack and sending the Eagles soaring into history.
Facing a Manchester City side that has dominated English football for much of the past decade, Palace defied the odds. City’s bid for silverware ended in frustration, as they completed a trophyless season for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut campaign in 2016-17.
Palace’s goalkeeper Dean Henderson was central to the triumph—first escaping a red card scare for handling outside the box under pressure from Erling Haaland, then producing a crucial save from Omar Marmoush’s penalty in the 36th minute. Haaland, who stepped aside from penalty duties after recent misses, could only watch as Henderson’s heroics kept Palace in front.
City dominated possession but were repeatedly denied by a well-drilled Palace defense and Henderson’s brilliance. Despite late pressure, Oliver Glasner’s men held firm, and at the final whistle, jubilant Palace supporters erupted as 119 years of waiting came to an end.
It was third time lucky for the South London club, having previously lost FA Cup finals in 1990 and 2016. On this sun-soaked afternoon, they finally stood atop the English game.