Crystal Palace Stun Manchester City to Win FA Cup Amid Drama and Henderson Controversy

In a historic showdown at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025, Crystal Palace achieved a monumental 1-0 victory over Manchester City, securing their first major trophy in 120 years—the FA Cup.

The South London club, led by manager Oliver Glasner, showcased resilience, tactical discipline, and sheer determination to etch their name into football history.

The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by a stunning goal, a critical penalty save, and a controversial refereeing decision that left Manchester City fuming.

The decisive moment of the game arrived in the 16th minute when Crystal Palace's star player, Eberechi Eze, found the back of the net.

Capitalizing on a rare break, Palace exploited space on the right flank with Daniel Muñoz delivering a precise cross.

Eze, timing his run perfectly, outmaneuvered City's Manuel Akanji and unleashed a beautifully executed volley to give Palace the lead.

The goal, scored against the run of play, ignited the Palace faithful and set the tone for a gritty defensive performance.

However, the match's defining moment came just after the half-hour mark when goalkeeper Dean Henderson made a heroic penalty save.

Manchester City's Omar Marmoush stepped up to take the spot-kick, awarded after a questionable challenge by Palace's Tyrick Mitchell on Bernardo Silva.

Henderson, diving to his right, not only stopped Marmoush’s effort but also denied Erling Haaland on the rebound, preserving Palace’s slender lead.

Henderson’s heroics didn’t stop there—he made several key saves, including a late stop from City substitute Claudio Echeverri, ensuring Palace held firm through 10 nerve-wracking minutes of stoppage time.

The victory was not without controversy. Earlier in the game, Henderson appeared to handle the ball outside his penalty area while thwarting a goalscoring opportunity for Haaland.

Manchester City argued that the goalkeeper should have been sent off, but VAR did not intervene, leaving Pep Guardiola visibly frustrated. Post-match, Henderson brushed off the incident, stating, "The ball carried into my box, and I knew it was fine—who cares?" Guardiola, however, confronted Henderson, reportedly upset over Palace’s time-wasting tactics.

For Crystal Palace, this triumph was more than just a trophy—it was redemption after FA Cup final losses in 1990 and 2016 to Manchester United.

Eze’s goal and Henderson’s penalty save became iconic moments, celebrated by a fanbase that has waited over a century for such glory.

The win also secured Palace a spot in the UEFA Europa League, marking a new chapter for the club.

As the final whistle blew, players and supporters alike were overcome with emotion, knowing they had witnessed history in the making.