The FA Cup is the oldest and most prestigious cup competition in English football, steeped in history and tradition, and is watched by millions across the globe.
Over 40 different clubs have been fortunate enough to get their hands on the iconic trophy, but Crystal Palace are not one of those and have in fact never won a major trophy in their 119-year history.
The Eagles are preparing for their third-ever FA Cup final as they will lock horns with seven-time winners Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After getting the better of Stockport County, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall and Fulham, Oliver Glasner‘s side comprehensively beat Aston Villa 3-0 in the semi-finals at the end of April and are now just 90 minutes (or potentially more) away from making history.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at Crystal Palace’s previous appearances in the FA Cup final.
1990 – Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace (replay after 3-3 draw)
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The first FA Cup final to be played in front of an all-seater crowd at Wembley Stadium was held in 1990 when Crystal Palace – back in the top flight after almost a decade away – were very much the underdogs heading into their first-ever final in the competition against Manchester United.
Gary O’Reilly headed the Eagles into an early lead before goals either side of half time from Brian Robson and Mark Hughes turned the contest on its head. Steve Coppell‘s side then had super sub Ian Wright to thank for restoring parity in the 72nd minute and taking the enthralling tie to extra time.
Wright then doubled his tally and fired Palace in front just two minutes after the restart, but it was Red Devils striker Hughes who has the last laugh as he netted his second of the contest in the 113th minute to rescue a 3-3 draw and force the final into a replay, which took place just five days later.
There was little to separate the two teams in a closely-fought replay, but Man United edged past Crystal Palace courtesy of a superb second-half strike from left-back Lee Martin – the second of only two goals he would score for the Red Devils.
2016 – Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United (a.e.t)
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Twenty-six years after facing Man United as a player in Crystal Palace’s first-ever FA Cup final, Alan Pardew was in charge of the Eagles when they renewed acquaintances with the Red Devils in the 2016 showpiece event at Wembley.
In front of just under 89,000 spectators, Palace looked on course to claim a memorable victory when Jason Puncheon beat the offside trap and fired past David de Gea from a tight angle to put the Eagles in front with 12 minutes remaining, sparking an iconic dance on the touchline from Pardew.
However, their lead was short-lived as Juan Mata equalised just three minutes later, with his strike sneaking under the legs of Joel Ward on the line and ensuring the tie would head into extra time.
Although Man United were reduced to 10 men when Chris Smalling was shown a second yellow in the 105th minute, Jesse Lingard took the trophy to Old Trafford when he lashed home a sweetly-struck first-time volley from Damien Delaney‘s half-clearance just five minutes later, beating Wayne Hennessey all ends up.
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