Wembley trembled. Not for City's usual demonstration, but for a football earthquake. Crystal Palace, without awards and without pressure, ended the hegemony of Manchester City. A 1-0 victory, engraved in the marble of English football, thanks to a flash of Eberechi Eze in the 16th minute and a Dantesque match of Dean Henderson in the goals. Eagles can write it: they are no longer the eternal unhappy finalists.
A goal, a goalkeeper, an emerging legend
On their first real opportunity, the Londoners struck hard. Mateta in pivot, munoz with a wand, and Eze for the finish. Resumption without control, flat of the millimeter foot: the skylight of Stefan Ortega saw only fire. A perfectly conducted against, which froze the Citizens. But the rest of the match? A seat. And a hero. Dean Henderson. Become walls. Stops on Haaland (7th), Gvardiol (12th), Doku (43rd), Echeverry (82nd)… and a penalty arrested against Marmoush in the 36th. A decisive parade, which weighed down the dynamics of City.
Wembley's miracle: Palace drops Manchester City!
Sterile dominant, the Sky Blues monopolized the ball (79 % possession) for 18 strikes. But without edge. Haaland, too generous leaving the penalty, never found the opening. Kevin de Bruyne, for his last appearance in the sky blue jersey, did not weigh. Guardiola, stoic, attended powerlessness of the crumbling of a cycle. Two finals of FA Cup lost immediately: the observation is brutal.
A dream come true for Crystal Palace
The Eagles believed in the miracle, and built it. A second goal refused to Munoz for offside at the time of play did not start their faith. The compact block, defensive solidarity, courage: Palace delivered the perfect match. Glasner, arrived without making any noise, enters history. Wembley changed camps. And the fans of the Eagles waited 120 years for this moment.
