In one of the biggest upsets in recent English football history, Crystal Palace shocked Manchester City with a dramatic 1-0 victory in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday. The win secured Palace’s first-ever FA Cup title and a coveted place in the UEFA Europa League next season.

Eberechi Eze, the Nigerian-English midfielder, delivered the knockout blow in the 16th minute, scoring the decisive goal that left Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City reeling. Palace’s win marks the club’s first major trophy in its 120-year history.

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Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was the true hero of the match, pulling off a string of stunning saves, including a critical penalty stop from Omar Marmoush, and escaping a controversial red card after a first-half handball incident reviewed by VAR.

Eze’s rise is the stuff of dreams—once rejected by Arsenal, Fulham, and Millwall, the 25-year-old star is now an FA Cup champion. His performance, combined with Henderson’s heroics, ensured Manchester City’s second consecutive FA Cup final loss, following last year’s defeat to Manchester United.

City, who have dominated English football in recent years, are now facing their first season without a major trophy since 2016-17. Currently sitting sixth in the Premier League, City are scrambling to secure Champions League qualification, with must-win games against Bournemouth and Fulham ahead.

Manager Pep Guardiola’s tactical gamble, opting for a striker-heavy line-up with no holding midfielder, backfired again. His counterpart, Oliver Glasner, outsmarted him with a defensive masterclass and counter-attacking strategy that proved decisive.

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Despite early chances from Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol, City lacked sharpness and cohesion. Henderson’s saves from Jeremy Doku and Claudio Echeverri sealed the fate of a team that once seemed unbeatable.

Crystal Palace’s victory is not just historic—it’s inspirational. It highlights the potential of underdog teams and showcases Nigerian talent on the world stage, with Eze continuing the legacy of Nigerians making their mark in top-tier football.

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