Crystal Palace lifted their first major trophy on Saturday with victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
A fantastic volley from Eberechi Eze – a transfer target for Manchester City – was enough to make history for the Eagles, as Oliver Glasner outdid Pep Guardiola at Wembley to also secure European football for Crystal Palace, another first for the south Londoners.
It was, however, a match involving some controversy, as Dean Henderson arguably should have been dismissed for handling the ball outside of the area in just the 23rd minute.
Should this have been a red card for Dean Henderson? 🤔#FACup pic.twitter.com/GEexLOrUPJ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 17, 2025
Therefore, Manchester City players have a right to feel aggrieved – although Ruben Dias was still quite complimentary of Crystal Palace after the final whistle.
Ruben Dias praises “clinical” Crystal Palace
The Portugal international praised Crystal Palace for their efficiency in attack when speaking to Optus Sport after the FA Cup final, while also being critical of his own side for a poor display.
Dias said: “We were just not good enough. Obviously they were clinical and we know that they are very dangerous in those counter attacks. For most of the game we controlled it, we had many chances and we were not able to score.
“In football if you don’t score, you can have all the control you want and it gives you nothing so we were just not good enough.”
Crystal Palace had just 21% of the possession and had to withstand 23 shots from Manchester City – who also saw Henderson deny Omar Marmoush from the penalty spot – but it was a real tactical masterclass from Glasner, who Tottenham admire, to make history for the south Londoners.
What Crystal Palace have earned after maiden FA Cup win
The Eagles have, of course, secured silverware in winning the FA Cup, but other benefits are included.
Dean Henderson was incredible in goal for @CPFC during their #EmiratesFACup Final triumph 🧤 pic.twitter.com/CS2lziabu3
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 18, 2025
As aforesaid, Crystal Palace will be playing European football for the first time next season as a result of the victory, going straight into the UEFA Europa League ‘league phase’ – with the traditional group stage process no more, as of the start of last term.
Furthermore, Crystal Palace have also been awarded £2m in prize money for winning the FA Cup, adding icing on top of what is a very sweet cake for Steve Parish.
