Crystal Palace ended generations of waiting when they claimed their first major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
In a match where they were clear underdogs, Oliver Glasner's team produced a defensive masterclass after Eberechi Eze volleyed home Daniel Muñoz's cross in the 16th minute. The goal came against the run of play during Palace's first meaningful attack, stunning a City side that had dominated possession.
"This is what dreams are made of, for me and this club. Who thought we could do it? We've made history," said Eze, whose goal was his third crucial strike at Wembley in recent months following his England debut goal and semi-final winner against Aston Villa.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson emerged as another hero for Palace, making a crucial penalty save from Omar Marmoush in the 36th minute after Tyrick Mitchell fouled Bernardo Silva. Henderson, who also produced several other outstanding saves throughout the match, said afterward: "Incredible. We had a feeling it would be our day today. We deserve this so much."
The victory marks a remarkable achievement for Austrian manager Oliver Glasner, who took charge just 15 months ago and becomes the first Austrian coach to win the FA Cup. For Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, the defeat means they finish a season without a trophy for the first time since 2016-17.
Beyond the immediate celebration, the win secures Palace's first-ever qualification for European football, with the club now guaranteed entry into the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League. After previous FA Cup final heartbreaks in 1990 and 2016, both against Manchester United, Palace's long-suffering fans finally have their moment of glory.