It was a day that will live forever in the hearts of everyone connected to Crystal Palace; history made, legends created. The south London club were on a mission to avenge previous Wembley pain, specifically the FA Cup final defeats by Manchester United from 1990 and 2016; to win a first major trophy. They put their supporters through the wringer because it is written that they must suffer. But when the final whistle blew, the joy was boundless. Who knows when it will feel real?
The goalscorer was Eberechi Eze, Palace’s sorcerer-in-chief, and it came in the 16th minute from an assist by Daniel Muñoz, who was irrepressible up and down the right. But the real hero was surely Dean Henderson, who saved a penalty just after the half-hour from the Manchester City forward, Omar Marmoush, and it was hardly the goalkeeper’s only vital intervention.
​
