New Delhi: When Crystal Palace lifted the FA Cup at Wembley, defeating treble-winners Manchester City 1-0, it wasn’t just a trophy win; rather, it was the final scene of a remarkable turnaround led by Oliver Glasner. What had started as a campaign shrouded in uncertainty and setbacks turned into the most successful chapter in the club’s history.
Palace hadn’t won a league game until late October, nine matches into the season. Their victory over Tottenham at Selhurst Park finally broke the spell. It was their worst start since the early 90s, and the pressure on Glasner was beginning to mount. Questions were being asked, fans were frustrated, and critics circled.
But inside the club, there was calm. Chairman Steve Parish and the board stood firm, believing in Glasner’s methods. The Austrian manager, who had led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022, remained composed even during the most difficult spells. His message then was simple: “It’s time to hug my players, not kick them.” It was a philosophy that would eventually pay off.
Oliver Glasner, the first manager to lift the #EmiratesFACup with @CPFC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/XniEnZP6W9
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 17, 2025
Navigating through transitions and setbacks
Palace were in transition when Michael Olise, one of their brightest talents, left for Bayern Munich. Defensive leader Joachim Andersen moved to Fulham. Eddie Nketiah arrived from Arsenal but wasn’t match-fit, while many other key players like Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Dean Henderson were either returning from international duty or recovering from a packed summer.
To make matters more complicated, four new players arrived on deadline day, including Maxence Lacroix, Matt Turner, and Trevoh Chalobah. Integrating them mid-season wasn’t easy. Glasner believed the team just needed time. Once everyone was fit, sharp, and adapted, he was sure they would click, and they did.
A system that brought the best out of Palace
As the season progressed, Glasner built a team that reflected his ideas of intensity, organised, and fearless. Eze, Sarr, and Mateta formed a dangerous trio up front. Munoz, quietly effective all year, delivered goals and assists from the back. Richards, Lacroix, and Guehi (until his injury in the final) were solid at the back.
Palace’s FA Cup run became a fairytale from the quarter-final win at Fulham to a dominant semi-final performance against Aston Villa, they arrived at Wembley brimming with belief.
In the final, they took their first chance with deadly precision. Eze finished off a brilliant counter in the 16th minute, Palace’s first shot, their first touch inside the box, and the goal that won them the cup.
Eberechi Eze fired @CPFC to their first major trophy, sealing a win over @ManCity in the #EmiratesFACup Final 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9ERlRtr4fb
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 18, 2025
Henderson the hero, Eze the star
Dean Henderson was vital again, saving efforts from Haaland, Gvardiol, Doku, and Echeverri. His only error handling the ball outside the box was waved off after VAR ruled Haaland hadn’t been denied a clear scoring chance.
Eze’s goal sealed his place in club folklore, having already scored in both the quarter and semi-finals. His name will be remembered whenever this glorious run is told.
A day that will never be forgotten
As Glasner walked calmly to shake Pep Guardiola’s hand, the Palace players danced in front of their fans to the tune of “Glad All Over.” For a manager who once visited Wembley just to drop his daughter at a concert, this was a memory that would stay forever.
He said before the clash, “Don’t talk about an egg until the hen has laid it,” and now that it’s laid, it’s golden and Crystal Palace are basking in the glow.
Oliver Glasner leads Crystal Palace to historic FA Cup win over Man City, overcoming early struggles to deliver the club’s first major trophy at Wembley. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
