164 years. That’s how long Crystal Palace had waited – through near misses, relegations, and rebuilds – for a taste of silverware.
Generations of fans dreamed of a day like this, when the red and blue would shine brightest under Wembley’s iconic arch. And on an unforgettable May evening in 2025, that dream finally came true.
At the heart of this historic triumph was Eberechi Eze – the little boy who once bounced from academy to academy, told time and again that he wasn’t good enough.
Eberechi Eze’s Instrumental Contribution Leads Crystal Palace to Glory
Rejected by Arsenal, Fulham, and Millwall, Eberechi Eze’s road to the top was anything but smooth. But Crystal Palace saw what others didn’t: an artist waiting for his canvas.
And on football’s biggest domestic stage, he painted a masterpiece.
Eze didn’t just play in the final – he delivered the all-important goal. His elegance, courage, and creativity powered Crystal Palace past Manchester City, delivering not just a goal but a legacy.
In the club’s most defining moment, it was the boy once discarded who stood tallest.
Palace’s wait is over. The FA Cup is theirs. And Eze? He’s no longer just a star – he’s a symbol of belief fulfilled and potential realised.
Crystal Palace’s Stealthy Surge to FA Cup Victory
Crystal Palace’s FA Cup campaign didn’t scream “destiny” at the start. In fact, it barely whispered it.
Their first outing was a tight affair against Stockport County, a match that lacked the glamour of later rounds but demanded focus all the same.
It was Eberechi Eze who settled early nerves, scoring a well-taken goal that ultimately secured a narrow 1–0 win. At the time, it felt routine – nothing more than a job done.
But in hindsight, it was the foundation to build on.
Crystal Palace didn’t blow teams away in the early rounds. There were no fireworks, no flashy scorelines. Just steady, grounded performances that built belief from the inside out.
With each round, the Eagles grew stronger, more confident, more cohesive. What began as a cautious run soon evolved into something far more potent.
The defining shift came in back-to-back clashes against Premier League opponents.
First, it was Aston Villa – high-flying, physical, and widely tipped to go deep in the competition.
But Palace stunned them with a tactical masterclass, suffocating their midfield and breaking forward with incisive precision.
Then came Fulham, another top-flight scalp, swept aside by a Palace side that now looked like genuine contenders.
Ironically, it wasn’t just the attacking brilliance that marked this run – it was the discipline. Palace conceded just one goal across the entire tournament, a stat that speaks volumes.
They weren’t just entertainers; they were warriors, ready to rise on the biggest stage.
At the centre of it all stood Eberechi Eze, crafting, creating, and carrying his team forward with four goals and one assist in five appearances.
The road to Wembley was anything but smooth, but Crystal Palace built their momentum brick by brick. And by the time they arrived, they weren’t just dreaming of glory – they were ready to seize it.
Palace Doubters Sparks the Flame of Purpose
Nobody truly expected it – not the bookmakers, not the pundits, and certainly not the headlines that preceded the final.
Manchester City, seasoned juggernauts, were chasing their only chance at silverware this season.
Pep Guardiola’s men had now reached the FA Cup final three times in a row, and the idea that they’d fall at the hands of Crystal Palace felt, to many, unthinkable despite their torrid season.
City was the safe bet. Palace were the feel-good story.
And maybe that was exactly what the Eagles needed.
In the week leading up to the final, the narrative was predictable. Palace were praised – but with a tone that bordered on patronising. It was as if Palace’s presence was more ceremonial than threatening.
But inside the Palace camp, the hunger to make that underdog story hold true sparked fire.
From the first whistle at Wembley, it was clear that Oliver Glasner’s men were not just playing to survive – it was a team playing to win.
Compact, disciplined, and fearless, Palace pressed with intelligence and broke with purpose.
Manchester City, uncharacteristically hesitant, looked rattled by their opponents’ structure and belief.
The two wingbacks, Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell were very instrumental in subduing Manchester City’s wing play through Savio and Jeremy Doku.
And then came the moment.
Early in the first half, Palace broke forward with intent. With a brilliant hold-up play from Mateta, Daniel Muñoz was released down the right.
The Colombian wing-back, without delay, whipped in a teasing ball across the face of the goal.
Arriving with perfect timing was Eberechi Eze, able to shrug off his marker, composed, and ready. One touch was all it took. He guided the ball past Stefan Ortega and into the net, wheeling away in front of a stunned City end and an erupting sea of red and blue.
Fifteen minutes in, and Palace were in front 1–0. But the heroics didn’t stop with Eze’s goal. Moments later, a twist: Tyrick Mitchell conceded a penalty, and suddenly, the momentum threatened to swing.
It was now a battle between Dean Henderson, Omar Marmoush, and the pressure of the moment.
Henderson stood tall.
With razor-sharp reflexes, he guessed right and palmed away the spot-kick, sending the red-and-blue end of Wembley into a frenzy. That save wasn’t just a highlight – it was a lifeline.
From that point on, Henderson became a wall, refusing to let Manchester City find rhythm or redemption.
But it wasn’t just him. Palace, as a unit, were immovable. Their structure was compact, their discipline unshakeable.
The Sky Blues huffed and puffed, but rarely found a clear path to the goal. Every time they looked up, there was a red-and-blue shirt closing space, winning duels, clearing danger.
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A Fantastic Crescendo to a Brilliant Season for the Eagles
Ten minutes of added time stretched every heartbeat. For Eagles fans, the clock moved in slow motion. There were no premature celebrations, no chants of “we’ve done it” until the whistle blew.
And when it finally did, the release was volcanic.
Cheers turned to tears. Crystal Palace had done it. A 164-year drought – over. A dream once too distant to picture – realised.
For the lifelong fans, it was the first trophy they had ever seen their club lift. For others, it was a promise fulfilled.
And now, with the FA Cup secured, European football awaits. A place among the continent’s best – a reward well earned.
What a way to end a historic season. What a way to write a legacy.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Paul Marriott
Recording Date: 17.05.2025