Crystal Palace stunned Manchester City with a 1–0 win to claim their first-ever major trophy in a dramatic and controversial FA Cup final. Eberechi Eze’s 16th-minute volley, set up by the tireless Daniel Muñoz, proved decisive, but it was goalkeeper Dean Henderson who emerged as the true hero.
Henderson made a string of crucial saves, including a first-half penalty stop from Omar Marmoush, though his involvement was controversial—he appeared to handle outside his box to deny Erling Haaland but escaped punishment.
Palace defended doggedly under Oliver Glasner’s guidance, frustrating a lacklustre City side short on creativity. VAR drama struck when Muñoz had a second goal ruled out for offside, and City’s pressure intensified in 10 nerve-shredding minutes of stoppage time. But Henderson held firm, denying late efforts from Kevin De Bruyne and debutant Claudio Echeverri.
It marked the end of a silverware-less season for Pep Guardiola’s side—their first since 2016–17—and the start of legendary status for this Palace squad.
