Crystal Palace was crowned FA Cup champions following a 1-0 win over Manchester City in at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Eberechi Eze’s first half strike was enough to help the Eagles pull of the upset in the final, as Manchester City laboured in vain despite controlling possession and creating more chances.
The FA Cup win is the first ever in Crystal Palace’s 120 years of existence as a professional club.
Erling Haaland led the line for Pep Guardiola’s side, with Kevin de Bruyne behind him in midfield, while Stefan Ortega was selected ahead of Ederson Moraes in goal.
Crystal Palace however displayed their best squad, with Jean-Claude Mateta leading the line, and Eze expected to make things happen.
Man City started the match trying to seize control, and the Cityzens were able to by controlling 80% of possession without creating much, but Haaland was denied at the back post by Dean Henderson, Palace goalkeeper.
The underdogs were under the cush and unable to advance beyond their half, but their second foray brought a clinical counter attack led by Daniel Munoz who’s cross was expertly converted by Eze for 1-0 on 24 minutes.
There was VAR drama minutes later, with Henderson using his hand just outside the area to deny Haaland.
However, the officials waved off the potential red card offence, and a VAR statement claimed the decision was taken because Haaland was going away from goal.
The seven-time FA Cup winners had another golden chance to restore parity when Bernardo Silva was brought down in the box, but Haaland allowed Omar Marmoush to take the spot-kick which was expertly saved by Henderson who dived low to his right to preserve the lead.
Palace had the ball in the net a second time early in the second half from a deep throw-in but Ismaila Sarr was in an offside position before Munoz finished off the chance.
Man City, however, continued to push for the equalizer but chances for Jeremy Doku were not converted, while Haaland could not hit the target late on as Crystal Palace held on for victory, their first over Man City in nine attempts.
Defeat for Man City means Guardiola’s side would finish the season trophy-less, the first time since the 2016/17 season when the Spanish coach arrived in England.
