The previous season of 2024/2025 will go down in the memory of Crystal Palace fans as a legend. A team that has been considered to be a powerhouse of a mid-table team was in a position to achieve the unthinkable. It has been decades since the club was given a major trophy – the FA cup. They were left to play Manchester City which was a clear favorite. But everything was absolutely contrary to the plan.
Beginning the Journey: First Victories and Cautious Optimism
Crystal Palace started with the third round of the FA cup. Once the draw was made, the team learnt against whom they would play and this was Southampton who is a Championship team and has been part of the English top flight.
As it happened in this game, Crystal Palace had very little, but this could not stop them winning the game by a very comfortable margin of 2-0. This became possible due to an organized defense and fast retaliation. Fans eager to add an extra layer of excitement could bet on football games at 1xBet IE line to test their predictions on upcoming matches.
Crystal Palace had a stronger opponent and a top-flight team West Ham United in the fourth round. The London derby was a tense one as time elapsed 1-1. Then there followed a dramatic penalty shootout between the teams. The savior was goalkeeper Sam Donston who was able to save twice, and take his team to the next round.
Facing Liverpool
The fifth round of the FA Cup can be described in various ways as a turning point for Crystal Palace. And, after all, it was Liverpool against whom they had to play their greatest enemy. The Merseysiders were unquestioned favorites at the start of the match.
Weirdly enough, it was during the game with Liverpool that Crystal Palace demonstrated their fantastic character. The team was able to get an initial goal at the beginning of the match. The players subsequently played back and avoided their opponents who might have caused any real threatening situation close to their goal. Consequently, the final whistle was blown, the result was 1-0, and an actual feeling.
Crystal Palace fans also started believing that their favourite club could go through with the whole tournament, after this victory and get a long awaited win.
Sensational and Warm Blooded Quarterfinals and Semifinals
The “Eagles” were playing with Branforth in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. It was not an easy game, however, with the help of a brace by O. Edouard, the team succeeded in getting out of it with a 3-1 win. The coach of the Crystal Palace team commented after the match that the team had finally grown up, learned to spread their energy all over the team without panicking during the whole game.
The semifinal was with Manchester United. The match was very alarming and stressful. The first 90 minutes ended 1-1. As such, a spot in the final was determined by additional time and a penalty shootout. However, both teams were not required to face penalties. Michael Oliseh shot in the 104 th minute in a long-range shot and it was accurate. Crystal Palace therefore made it to their first England FA Cup final in decades.
A Final Where Everything Is Decided
On May 17, 2025 the FA Cup final was played. It was also one of the most exciting and the most intense matches in the history of the tournament. Manchester City held the game with great confidence and even scored the goal through Erling Haaland. However, this did not destroy the “Eagles.” Crystal Palace was incredibly committed and had faith in victory even to the end of the match.
Eze and Oliseh drew the game at the 68th minute. It was the case in the injury time, and everybody anticipated two 15 minute overtime periods and perhaps even a penalty shoot out. However, a precise shot by Jean-Philippe Mateta in one of the corners brought a win to the “Eagles” in the last seconds. and then Wembley broke into cheers of the fans of the Eagles.
Final Thoughts
The FA cup victory that Crystal Palace has won is a tale of faith, effort and commitment. The triumph with Manchester City turned out to become an icon of a new age – a new age of the Palace being no longer an underdog and a member of the club of the finest English football clubs.