FA Cup Final: Crystal Palace 1 Manchester City 0 — Ecstasy for Palace
Manchester City were coming off a disappointing game against Southampton, where they drew 0-0. Three points would have been desired to put themselves in a more commanding position in the Champions League places. After the result, they find themselves outside the top 5 by a point with a game in hand.
As for Palace, they are on a five-game unbeaten streak (two wins and three draws). Last time out, Palace comfortably won 2-0 against a heavily rotated Tottenham side—in preparation for their Europa League Final matchup against Man United. Palace are thriving under Glasner and can potentially finish with their highest-ever points tally in the Premier League.
Opening Minutes Of The First Half
The early minutes of the game showed City dominate possession, pinning Palace back along their 18-yard box, but Palace was content to sit back because they knew they could break forward effectively and efficiently. In the first 10 minutes or so, City found themselves creating scoring chances. A lovely ball played from De Bruyne to the back post found Haaland, who was able to stick a leg out and direct the ball back towards goal, which called for a great one-handed reflex save from Henderson.
Palace’s Dangerous Right-Hand Side
The very first attack in the game from Palace resulted in a goal. It was a long ball up to Mateta at half field, played from almost their own end line by Chris Richards, who held up play and laid it off to Kamada, who then played back to Mateta. The Frenchman then played Muñoz as he pushed forward from his right wingback position and found Eze at the penalty spot as he swept the ball into the back of the net off a one-time finish.
Palace had a chance to score their second again from their right-hand side created by Muñoz. The Colombian delivered a low-driven cross that found Sarr, who ran to the near post and tried to redirect the ball back towards goal.
Controversial VAR Moment
It wouldn’t be a final without a VAR moment. A ball was played into space for Haaland to run onto, and Henderson, who at first was committed to clear the ball, then decided to retreat into his box and palmed the ball away from Haaland without realizing the contact he made with the ball came from outside the penalty box. VAR reviewed the play for a possible denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, but VAR ruled that it was not due to the direction of the ball being away from the goal.
City Penalty
In the last 10 minutes of the first half, City were given a penalty from a Tyrick Mitchell challenge on Bernardo Silva. Mitchell went down to the ground as he attempted to slide and make a challenge on the ball but instead caught the Portuguese international. It did look as though Bernardo Silva was going to ground before contact happened, and rather, the contact was made with Silva’s leg towards the end of his fall. Nevertheless, a penalty was given as the referee made no clear and obvious mistake. Marmoush was the one who stepped up and took the penalty, not Haaland, which raised questions given that Haaland is usually City’s first-choice penalty taker. Henderson saved Marmoush’s penalty as the Palace keeper dove the correct way down to his right-hand side.
Second Half
City applied heavy and constant pressure to Palace’s backline in the second half. Savinho put two very dangerous crosses into the box and found success against Mitchell down City’s right-hand side. In the first half, City were slow in moving the ball when they were in the attacking third, and in the second half, City was more direct, and the decision-making was quicker as they tried to break down Palace. They started to find some gaps in Palace’s low block, and it’s no surprise it was De Bruyne who found them.
Palace did have a goal taken away from VAR, as Muñoz thought he put Palace up 2-0. His initial attempt deflected off Sarr, who was in an offsides position, where the ball then fell kindly back to Muñoz, who put it in the back of the net. Apart from the Muñoz disallowed goal, it’s been all City in the second half.
The pattern of the game in the second half saw Palace sit in a low block, block shots, and break quickly when they could on the counterattack. As for City, they pinned Palace back, circulated the ball around, and used the width to put service in the box.
City was creating chances but just couldn’t convert, as Henderson was remarkable in coming up with big saves for Palace. City had a well-worked move from back to front that resulted in a chance from Echeverrí—the 19-year-old’s debut for the club who was bought in January—who saw his attempt saved by Henderson. City still pushed for an equalizer as De Bruyne had a chance in added time, and another chance came for Echeverrí. Palace had to fight hard to get the victory.
Palace secured their first major trophy in the club’s history and European football for next season. As for City, this is their first trophyless season under Guardiola—excluding the Community Shield—and they could not give Kevin De Bruyne a parting gift since his recent announcement that this will be his last season with the club.
What’s Next
Manchester City face Bournemouth in their next match as they look to finish in the top five to secure Champions League football. Palace look to continue to finish their season on a high and break their Premier League points record, but they would at least need to pick up four points in their last two games to achieve this.
Featured Image via TheEaglesBeak
