FA Cup final: Underdogs Crystal Palace hope to stun Manchester City

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Football fans can watch history in the making when underdogs Crystal Palace take on cup favourites Manchester City under the famous arch of Wembley Stadium in the 2024-25 FA Cup final.

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Match background

This clash at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 17 May pits together a Crystal palace team which has never won the FA Cup (they have been runners-up twice, in 1990 and 2016, losing both finals at the hands of Manchester United) and a Manchester City team looking to win an eighth title in this competition (and a second in the space of three years).

The Eagles have beaten Stockport County, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall, Fulham and Aston Villa en route to the FA Cup final, while the Citizens have overcome Salford City, Leyton Orient, Plymouth Argyle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.

For Palace, a triumph in this match would go down as the club’s greatest ever achievement, and underline the progress they have made under manager Oliver Glasner. As for City, their disappointing showings in the Premier League and Champions League make this match a last chance to claim some silverware in what has been an underwhelming season by their high standards.

What the teams are saying

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner on reaching the FA Cup Final:

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner before the Premier League match at Selhurst Park, London, on Monday, May 5, 2025.

“With all the happiness and pride, it was not the last step. It was one more step, but an important step. When you play the final, you want to win it. I’m really proud. I’m enjoying walking in front of the stands seeing how happy people are.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists even winning the FA Cup would not salvage their campaign:

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the Premier League match at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, on Friday, May 2, 2025.

“No – the season has not been good. We are a thousand-million points behind Liverpool [in thePremier League]! The season has not been good. We have to be calm now, recover […]. Then play Crystal Palace, and we saw [in the first semifinal] how good they are.”

Players to watch

Crystal Palace – Eberechi Eze

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder has enjoyed a great campaign for Crystal Palace, and has been linked with a move to a bigger Premier League club. Whether that materialises remains to be seen, but Eze will certainly be determined to lead the Eagles to their first major trophy.

Manchester City – Omar Marmoush

The Man City forward will be looking to join compatriots Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, 2022) and Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, 2017) as an Egyptian winner of the FA Cup.

Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush in action during the FA Cup semi-finals soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in London, Britain, on April 27 2025. PHOTO: EPA/VINCE MIGNOTT.

Marmoush’s attacking versatility and hunger for goals will make him a major threat in the big game at Wembley.

Head-to-head

In head-to-head stats, Palace and Man City have met in 73 matches across all competitions since their first clash in 1921. The Citizens have claimed 39 wins compared to 17 for the Eagles, while 17 games have been drawn.

City are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Palace, including two Premier League meetings this season: a 2-2 draw in London in December 2024, and a 5-2 home win at the Etihad Stadium in April 2025.

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Broadcast details

Times CAT

Saturday May 17

17:30: Crystal Palace v Manchester City – Live on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

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