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Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi celebrates.

Crystal Palace stun Manchester City to win FA Cup for first time

Palace won the first major trophy in the club’s history.

LAST UPDATE | 17 May

CRYSTAL PALACE STUNNED Manchester City on Saturday to win the FA Cup for the first time as Eberechi Eze sealed a 1-0 victory that piled on the misery for Pep Guardiola’s troubled side.

Eze’s early strike rocked City before Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saved Omar Marmoush’s penalty late in the first half of a dramatic final at Wembley.

crystal-palace-goalkeeper-dean-henderson-celebrates-after-the-emirates-fa-cup-final-at-wembley-stadium-london-picture-date-saturday-may-17-2025 Palace keeper Dean Henderson celebrates at full time. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

While Eze’s clinical finish was the culmination of his remarkable rise from rejection by Arsenal, Fulham and Millwall as a youngster, it was Henderson who emerged as Palace’s hero with a series of superb saves.

City will protest that Henderson should have been sent off for a first-half handball outside his penalty area.

But Henderson made the most of that controversial moment to ensure Palace clinched the first major trophy in their 120-year history and a place in next season’s Europa League.

Beaten by Manchester United in their previous FA Cup final appearances in 1990 and 2016, Palace’s shock win was no more than they deserved as City once again imploded in a dismal season that will be their first without major silverware since 2016-17.

After winning the Premier League in the previous four seasons, City have endured a turbulent campaign that ranks among the worst in Guardiola’s storied managerial career.

Currently sixth in the Premier League, City host Bournemouth on Tuesday and travel to Fulham on May 25 as they try to salvage their wretched year by at least qualifying for the Champions League.

Guardiola had questioned his players’ hunger as they failed to keep pace with Liverpool in the title race and crashed out of the Champions League.

While desire might not have been an issue against Palace, City’s lack of direction in their second successive FA Cup final defeat was an alarming sign for the future as Guardiola was out-witted by Eagles boss Oliver Glasner.

Not for the first time, Guardiola sprang a surprise with his selection for a final as he picked an ultra-attacking line-up with no holding midfielder.

- Guardiola gamble backfires -

However, Guardiola’s habit of tinkering with his tactics for finals has backfired in the past.

Asked about City’s line-up just before kick-off, Guardiola said he was putting his faith in “talent”, but Glasner had spotted an opening, saying: “When you have so many attacking players it could give you an opportunity in transitions.”

Erling Haaland nearly gave City the perfect start when he stretched to meet Kevin De Bruyne’s cross with a volley that forced a scrambled save from Henderson.

Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Josko Gvardiol’s towering header from Savinho’s corner was smartly repelled by Henderson.

But Glasner’s clever decision to set up Palace deep inside their own half had lured City in for the sucker punch.

Eze delivered the knockout blow from Palace’s first attack in the 16th minute as Glasner’s men launched a brilliant break from their penalty area.

Jean-Philippe Mateta held up Chris Richards’ long pass and laid it off to Daniel Munoz, who surged down the right flank before crossing towards Eze, who guided a superb volley past Stefan Ortega from 12 yards.

City were furious when Henderson escaped a red card when VAR checked his handball, which appeared to take place outside the area, after the ‘keeper rushed out to challenge Haaland.

VAR said it was “not an obvious goal-scoring opportunity” but it proved crucial as Henderson rescued Palace in the 35th minute.

Tyrick Mitchell conceded the penalty with a needless foul on Bernardo Silva as the City midfielder ran away from goal.

Instead of Haaland taking the spot-kick, it was Marmoush who stepped up after the Norway star gave him the ball in a disastrous move as Henderson plunged to his right to keep out the Egyptian’s strike.

Henderson was in inspired form and he denied City again, clawing away a Jeremy Doku strike that appeared destined for the top corner.

Defending tirelessly, Palace were indebted to Henderson, who made two more brilliant saves from Claudio Echeverri to cap a chastening afternoon for Guardiola.

– © AFP 2025

Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.

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    Mute Alan McBride
    Favourite Alan McBride
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 5:30 PM

    He shouldn’t get out at all but at least its a fairly long sentence. Not as long as the victims though. RIP. If it were here he’d probably be sentenced to 12 years with 9 suspended and be out in 18 months with good behaviour. Only a slight exaggeration!

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    Mute Aoife McFadden
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 7:08 PM

    Easy words for you to spit of your righteous mouth but I’m afraid Alan that it is God who makes the final judgement and we are ALL God’s children, even those who stray and commit horrendous crimes like rape and murder. The question to ask is how can a child of God stray so far from the righteous path? Simple… Without the sanctity of Christ in your heart and without the moral integrity which comes from The Church, any of can and do stray. Unfortunately for Mr. Whant, he crossed a line which is near impossible to recover from. Still, through the grace of God and through confession he can come to let Christ enter his heart and be fully absolved. I pray for him.

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    Mute Adrian De Cleir
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 7:42 PM

    That sounds like a pretty cool story aofie, please tell us more.

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    Mute Chris Fogarty
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 7:48 PM

    Where was God when he committed those crimes? Nowhere to be found.

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 7:52 PM

    @ Aoife – where was your merciful God for poor Nikitta?

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    Mute Declan O'Neill
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 8:32 PM

    Ugh, Aoife can you pass me a bucket!

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    Mute Sheila Murphy
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 8:35 PM

    Hi Aoife; after much reflection and thought over a long time period, I realised that I could no longer consider myself Catholic and would opt out if the option was available to me, so therefore I would be a person that you (from your comment) would consider does not “have Jesus in my heart”. However there is absolutely no way I would commit a deed like this or even anything less than or like it. Jesus in one’s heart (or not) has nothing to do with this type of terrible atrocity that the perpetrator committed. Therefore to me your comment has absolutely no logic.

    I’m glad for you if you find your faith a comfort and a support.But just because someone has jesus in their heart does not preclude them from carrying out terrible deeds.

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    Mute Rommel Burke
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 8:39 PM

    Aoife, why not give up preaching for Lent?

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 10:01 PM

    Aoife, you are bonkers. It’s that simple.

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    Mute ponythegringo
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 11:29 PM

    @ Adrian De Cleir , i have a pain in me belly from your comment, laughing so much , thank you

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    Mute Randy savage
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 12:27 AM

    aoife you make me sick to my stomach, what a wicked thing for you to say.

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    Mute Stadler Waldorf
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 2:50 AM

    @Aoife Please crawl back under your rock and bring your sanctimonious preaching with you

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    Mute Michael Russell
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 5:32 PM

    Only 35 years? Why can’t these judges hand out “for the reminder of life” sentences?

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    Mute Brendan Crowe
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 7:22 PM

    @Aoife I think for you to link morality and the church is absurd. I don’t believe in God. but being a good person is my Religion. the guy is obviously a psychopath and no amount of praying will change that. He deserves to be locked up for 35 years, He chose to do what he did. We are all responsible for our actions

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    Mute Nora Butler
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 7:34 PM

    Aoife are you for real? That girl (RIP) parents got to see their unborn grandchild (RIP) on a mortuary slab and you are praying for him…. I think I’m going to have to pray for you!!!!

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    Mute Ciaro
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 6:15 PM

    He picked the wrong country, if he was convicted in Ireland he would be released in 12 years at the most.

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    Mute Opinion Ated
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 7:33 PM

    I’d pray for the dead mother and her unborn baby myself Aoife. He’ll have plenty of time to pray for himself in the next 35 years.

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    Mute Red Ed
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 6:18 PM

    35 years should mean 35 years even if he dies in prison they should bury him there until his time is served. That would help prevent crimes this gruesome from occurring.

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    Mute Shanners
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 8:04 PM

    Aoife had found a very successful trolling tactic.

    35 years is a proper sentence. not enough, but much better than the ridiculous sentences handed out here.

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    Mute James Halford
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 8:56 PM

    Deserves the death penalty if you ask me. Sick bastard. Hope he rots in prison.

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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 9:02 PM

    Relax Aoife is a troll, she couldn’t be for real!!!!

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    Mute Mary Cullinane
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 9:32 PM

    @aoife I’m afraid your thinking totally defies logic, I know very many people who do not believe in God and who most definitely are not part of any specific Church & they are all very good living people who’s main aim in life is to treat others as they would like to be treated. I believe in a Spiritual Being, call it God or whatever but I also know that I have a choice in life of making up my own mind as to what path I take…..that’s what free will is, we all have a conscience and it is up to each of us to follow our conscience as we see fit & a person who commits a crime of this nature to me is totally evil true & true. You can contemplate forever about what made him that way but to say that it is because he doesn’t go the path of being part of a Church or that he doesn’t have God in his heart is rubbish, if as you say we are all God’s children is true, then why didn’t God intervene & prevent this man doing this terrible deed? free will & the freedom to follow our own conscience is the reason & like all things in life we all have to take responsibility for our own actions.

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    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 8:53 PM

    The penalty is not 35 years, that is judged by the prisoners as they have their own court. That’s his main fear

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    Mute Randy savage
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 12:31 AM

    This utter guttertrash subhuman scumbag should ride the lighting for what he has done. Man i get so p…d off when i read this stuff and then the likes of Aoife bleeding heart liberal dancing at the cross roads with the parish priest wants to pray for this piece of crap. Id love to meet this guy and knock seven maybe even eight shades of shite out of him. apologies for the minor bad language but im so angry at this story.

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    Mute Helen Clinton
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 12:56 AM

    Well said Randy. I couldn’t agree more.

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    Mute Lin Waring
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 8:51 PM

    Well said…….Maybe, Aoife wouldnt be so quick to forgive this awful scum if it was his family that had been affected……xx

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    Mute jimmy
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    Feb 24th 2012, 12:24 AM

    here here ! comment of the day randy !

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    Mute Adam Cullen
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 12:27 AM

    Funny considering how some of the worst atrocities known to man have been committed in the name of God!

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    Mute Eoin Hennebry
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    Feb 22nd 2012, 11:53 PM

    Aoife???? Actually like???? I hope somebody out there is praying for you!! Crazy logic!!

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    Mute SirRichie Van Piimpp
    Favourite SirRichie Van Piimpp
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 9:03 AM

    It is amazing, with a dreadful story like above… everyone focuses on a comment made my a troll (I think)

    Get off yer high horses and loose the religious stance…. this murder/rape is a terrible act and we should all rally around in support rather than blasting a troll…

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    Mute Deirdre Forde
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 10:32 AM

    Couldn’t agree more. My thoughts are with her family.

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    Mute Francis Hoban
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 6:56 AM

    This women is as cracked as an egg but that’s not the point all thoughts should for that poor family

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    Mute Séa Graham
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 8:51 AM

    @Aoife. get help. I pity your children and the brainwashing they must be going through.

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    Mute Jessica Armstrong
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    Feb 24th 2012, 2:22 AM

    how can some1 do that and NOT get a death sentence whats wrong with the justice system it amazes me sumtimes

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    Mute Pa McGarry
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 9:12 AM

    The troll is moon

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