Crystal Palace WIN first ever trophy beat Man City to lift FA Cup; qualify for Europa League

The Eagles won their first-ever trophy after 120 years.

Crystal Palace defeated Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final and ended their 120-year major title drought. It was all thanks to a goal from Eberechi Eze in the first half.

A spectacular performance by goalkeeper Dean Henderson kept Man City from equalising, as the Eagles managed to defend their one-goal lead throughout the game.

After some VAR discussion over a handball, Henderson, who made numerous saves, denied Omar Marmoush from the penalty spot. He was the hero of the game as he denied City many chances in the match.

However, Palace will only remember that they have made history under manager Oliver Glasner and finally ended their 120-year trophy wait.

With Omar Marmoush starting beside Erling Haaland, and Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva holding things down in the centre of the park, there was no known defensive midfielder.

With Adam Wharton’s recovery to full fitness giving Oliver Glasner a huge boost, Crystal Palace’s squad was essentially what everyone had anticipated. Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr were behind Jean-Philippe Mateta, and he began beside Daichi Kamada.

A wonderful De Bruyne pass at the rear post with an audacious volley gave Haaland the first big chance of the afternoon, forcing Dean Henderson, who had a busy afternoon, to parry it aside for a corner.

Richards was another Palace star who had an excellent match. Playing as the right central defender in a back-five system, Richards helped Palace maintain a clean sheet for the entire ninety minutes. He recorded 40 touches on the ball and completed 82 per cent of his passes.

In addition to making four blocks and recording 12 clearances from defence, he completed five passes into the last third of the field.

Before finishing their Premier League season with two games left against Wolverhampton and Liverpool, Palace will enjoy their FA Cup victory over the weekend before heading into the next week.

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