Surprise at Wembley! Crystal Palace won the FA Cup after defeating Manchester City 1-0, marking a historic milestone for the London club. The victory, however, was marred by controversy, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson as the protagonist.
A triumph with a taste of glory and controversy
Eberechi Eze’s goal in the 16th minute was enough to secure the victory and condemn City to their second consecutive defeat in the FA Cup final. However, Henderson’s incident was the key moment of the match.
The goalkeeper, formerly of Manchester United, avoided a red card for a deliberate handball outside the area and subsequently saved a crucial penalty, denying City the chance to equalize.
Palace’s victory is a triumph for football, demonstrating that dreams can come true.
Mark Ogden
Olivier Glasner, the coach who led Eintracht Frankfurt to victory in the UEFA Europa League, has transformed Palace, turning it into one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League.
Despite Michael Olise’s departure to Bayern Munich, Glasner has built a solid team with players like Eze, Marc Guéhi, Adam Wharton, and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who have proven to be up to the level of the best.
Ismaïla Sarr and Daniel Muñoz also played an important role, perfectly executing Glasner’s game plan: defending with solidity and counterattacking City.
A Hard Blow for Manchester City
The defeat in the FA Cup final is a harsh setback for City, who have also lost ground in the fight for qualification to the UEFA Champions League.
Aston Villa’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea’s victory over Manchester United, both matches played on Friday, have relegated City to sixth position in the table, with two games to play.
Pep Guardiola will have to motivate his players for the next match against AFC Bournemouth. The coach has already expressed his dissatisfaction with the schedule, suggesting that the match should have been postponed to give his players more rest.
The Champions League qualification is still in City’s hands, but the team needs to improve its performance. They haven’t managed to score in their last two matches, and some players seem exhausted.
The match against Bournemouth is crucial; any setback could jeopardize their participation in the Champions League.
Henderson: hero and villain
Dean Henderson, the hero of Crystal Palace for his penalty save, should have been sent off for an intentional handball outside the area. The referee did not review the play on the monitor, which generated controversy.
In the 24th minute, Henderson left his area and touched the ball with his hand, preventing a clear goalscoring opportunity for Erling Haaland.
The refereeing decision sparked controversy and City expressed their frustration. Despite the controversy, Henderson was the hero for Palace, securing the club’s first major title.
What does the future hold for Eze?
Eberechi Eze has had a long road to the top. After being rejected by several clubs, he found his place at Crystal Palace. Now, after five years at the club, he could be ready for a new challenge.
His goal in the FA Cup final was a display of technique and precision. Eze, who began his participation in the Cup with the decisive goal against Stockport County, has proven his worth.
After an irregular season, Eze has shown great performance, with six goals in his last five matches. His goal in the FA Cup final is the culmination of his effort, and although he has qualified Palace for the Europa League, he could aspire to greater goals.
Guardiola’s Tactical Approach
Guardiola surprised with his tactical approach, opting for an offensive team with little protection in midfield.
The absence of Mateo Kovacic and the substitution of Ilkay Gündogan forced Bernardo Silva to play as a defensive midfielder, with the help of Kevin De Bruyne. This strategy did not work.
Palace took advantage of the lack of protection in City’s midfield, scoring a quick goal. City’s attack, led by De Bruyne, Doku and Savinho, failed to create many clear chances. Glasner’s plan worked perfectly.
Succession in the City?
Kevin De Bruyne, who will leave City at the end of the season, could not lead his team to victory. City needs a player with the creativity and energy of Florian Wirtz to replace De Bruyne.
With the departure of De Bruyne and the possible departures of Foden, Grealish, Silva, and Gündogan, City faces a major rebuild.
