In a landmark achievement, Crystal Palace secured their first major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025. Eberechi Eze's decisive goal in the 16th minute, coupled with a crucial penalty save by goalkeeper Dean Henderson, sealed the historic victory.

The match's only goal materialized when Eze capitalized on a precise cross from Daniel Muñoz, slotting the ball past City's goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. Manchester City had a prime opportunity to equalize in the first half after Tyrick Mitchell fouled Bernardo Silva in the penalty area. However, Henderson denied Omar Marmoush's penalty attempt, preserving Palace's lead. Despite dominating possession and creating multiple scoring chances, City couldn't penetrate Palace's resolute defense.

This victory marks the end of Crystal Palace's 120-year wait for a major title. Founded in 1905, the club had previously reached the FA Cup final twice, in 1990 and 2016, but fell short on both occasions. Under the guidance of Austrian manager Oliver Glasner, appointed in February 2024, the team has undergone a remarkable transformation. Glasner's tactical acumen and leadership have been instrumental in this success. Reflecting on the achievement, Glasner remarked, "It was the fifth game in two weeks, every game we entered with the approach to win it and we couldn’t do it four times. All those steps helped us perform like we did today."

Eze's performance throughout the FA Cup campaign has been pivotal, with his goal in the final underscoring his composure under pressure. Henderson's penalty save and subsequent key interventions were vital in maintaining the team's lead. Additionally, Muñoz's assist for the winning goal highlights the collaborative effort of the squad.

For Manchester City, this defeat concludes a challenging season. Under manager Pep Guardiola, the team ended the season without a domestic trophy for the first time since the 2016–17 season. This loss also marked their second consecutive FA Cup final defeat, having lost to Manchester United the previous year.

Crystal Palace's victory has had a profound impact on their supporters and the local community in South London. The triumph has instilled a sense of pride and unity among fans, many of whom have supported the club through decades without major silverware. The win also serves as an inspiration to other mid-tier clubs, demonstrating that with strategic management and team cohesion, significant achievements are attainable.

The final was televised live in the UK on BBC One, ITV1, STV, and UTV, and streamed via BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and STV Player. National radio coverage was provided by BBC Radio 5 Live and Talksport. The match attracted an attendance of 84,163 spectators at Wembley Stadium, underscoring the significance of the event.

As FA Cup winners, Crystal Palace have qualified for the league phase of the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League, marking their first entry into European competition. They are also set to face Premier League champions Liverpool in the 2025 FA Community Shield.

This historic victory not only ends Crystal Palace's long wait for a major trophy but also sets the stage for a promising future, both domestically and in European competitions.