C Palace 1 – 0 Man City – MC Global Concept

Oliver Glasner hailed Crystal Palace’s “special” first ever major trophy as Eberechi Eze fired them to a dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Palace ended their long wait for silverware and qualified for the Europa League when Eze struck in the 16th minute before goalkeeper Dean Henderson escaped a red card for handball and then saved Omar Marmoush’s penalty in an action-packed first half.

The VAR deemed Henderson hadn’t denied a clear goalscoring opportunity when he palmed the ball away from Erling Haaland after referee Stuart Attwell had allowed play to continue.

“What you need to win a cup is a bit of luck and that was a huge one,” said Sky Sports’ Roy Keane.

Palace manager Glasner added: “I thought, ‘Why don’t you kick the ball?’ Then I had my fingers crossed the VAR didn’t intervene.

“To be honest, I can’t really believe it – when you play this game 10 times, you win it once, and this happened today.

“The goal was the first time we were in their half and then we just defended with every single part of the body. I’m really proud of the team and the whole staff. All the credit to them.

“When you always stick together and support each other, you deserve it. It’s a special win for our fans.”

Man City couldn’t find a way past Henderson and his resilient defence despite naming an attacking line-up with no holding midfielder, with this the first season in eight years that Pep Guardiola has failed to win a major trophy at the club.

Palace were denied a second in the 58th minute for offside after Daniel Munoz had squeezed the ball home from a tight angle before Henderson denied teenager Claudio Echeverri twice late on to make history.

City had piled the pressure on straight away with Henderson making saves from Haaland and Josko Gvardiol, but Palace scored with their first attack. Munoz ran down the right and crossed low into the middle, where Eze arrived to sweep the ball in.

Henderson was lucky to be on the pitch to save Marmoush’s penalty, the striker having been handed the ball by Haaland after Tyrick Mitchell had conceded the spot kick by sliding in on Bernardo Silva, who went over despite there being minimal contact.

City hadn’t done a lot wrong in the first half which was compounded when Henderson denied Jeremy Doku before Kevin De Bruyne, on his final Wembley appearance for the club, lashed the rebound over.

Palace defended superbly throughout and had to rely on Henderson’s saves. They thought Munoz had doubled their lead but his initial shot hit team-mate Ismaila Sarr before he turned in at the second attempt.

Echeverri was thrown on for his City debut in the final 15 minutes and was twice denied by Henderson when well-positioned in the box.

There were 10 minutes of added time and still City couldn’t find a way past Henderson, who Guardiola confronted at full-time.

“I went to shake his hand, but I think he was disappointed with the time-wasting,” said Henderson. “I said, ‘You got the 10 minutes you wanted’. No hard feelings.”

Guardiola responded: “It’s time-wasting. I understand in the last minutes, but since the one or two minutes? He’s British, in English football, you have to play.

“My team, I never try [to do it] because I try to play the game like the people deserve to watch.”

Henderson on red card: Who cares?!

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson speaking to ITV:

“I didn’t know [the VAR review] was for me. Who cares, it doesn’t matter. I am not bothered.”

On his penalty save: “I saved a penalty down there a few years ago for Shrewsbury. I fancied my chances in that corner. He smashed it hard and I went the right way.”

What does this mean for Euro race?

Crystal Palace have secured a place in the Europa League as winners of the FA Cup.

That denies Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham the chance of qualifying for Europe.

That is because eighth will not be awarded with a place in the UEFA Conference League.

Palace take the FA Cup place in the Europa League, and the second spot will go to the team in sixth.

That means, as it stands, seventh-placed Nottingham Forest would go into the UEFA Conference League.

Keane: This is Crystal Palace’s day

Sky Sports’ Roy Keane on ITV Sport:

“Today is not about Man City. They’ve had loads of credit over the years, they’re a fantastic team in terms of the success they’ve had, but this is Crystal Palace’s day.

“Every team has got to have a plan, you’ve got to go and do the business. You’ve got to have spirit, fight, quality, a little bit of luck, belief and they’ve had all that today and more.

“There are kids in disbelief thinking ‘is this the real Crystal Palace?’

“I’m sure it won’t be another 100 years until they win a trophy.”