Crystal Palace Win 2025 FA Cup Final: Historic First Trophy After 1-0 Victory Over Manchester City
In a moment that will be etched in English football history, Crystal Palace secured their first-ever major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the 2025 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. This landmark victory comes just a year after Manchester United lifted the FA Cup in 2024, underlining the fierce competition and unpredictability of England’s most prestigious cup.
For Crystal Palace, this triumph is the culmination of over a century of ambition. The Eagles’ closest brush with FA Cup glory before now came in 1990, when they were narrowly beaten by Manchester United in a dramatic final replay. Since their founding in 1905, Crystal Palace has often battled relegation and pulled off cup upsets, but had never before claimed a major piece of silverware—until now.
The decisive moment in the 2025 FA Cup Final came in the 16th minute, courtesy of Eberechi Eze. The talented midfielder, who joined Crystal Palace from Queens Park Rangers in 2020, finished a well-worked move involving Jean-Philippe Mateta and Daniel Muñoz to score the only goal of the match. Eberechi Eze, who began his career at Millwall and rose through the ranks at QPR, has developed into a crucial player for Crystal Palace, and his composure on the biggest stage was evident.
Referee Michael Oliver officiated the high-profile 2025 FA Cup Final, keeping control throughout a tense match where Manchester City dominated possession but struggled to break down Crystal Palace’s resolute defense.
Manchester City, coached by Pep Guardiola, started with their signature 4-3-3 formation, prioritizing quick passing and attacking width. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner responded with a disciplined 3-4-2-1 setup, emphasizing organization at the back and sharp transitions in attack. This tactical discipline, along with flashes of individual brilliance, proved pivotal for Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was outstanding, making several key saves—including a vital first-half penalty stop from Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush. The Crystal Palace defensive unit, led by Joachim Andersen and Marc Guéhi, delivered an inspired performance to keep Manchester City at bay.
While Manchester City are known for their intricate build-up play and relentless pressing, it was Oliver Glasner’s pragmatic, counter-attacking approach that ultimately earned Crystal Palace the 2025 FA Cup title. Crystal Palace’s ability to withstand pressure and strike on the counter secured a famous victory over Manchester City.
With this historic win, Crystal Palace not only end a 120-year wait for a major trophy but also secure a spot in the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League. Fans of Crystal Palace and football neutrals have celebrated this underdog story, marking an exciting new chapter for the South London club and confirming Eberechi Eze’s status as a Selhurst Park icon.
