Crystal Palace players can make history at Wembley
Crystal Palace v Manchester City FA Cup Final. Fans preview.
Crystal Palace have a golden opportunity to finally put the heartbreak of their previous FA Cup Final defeats behind them.
Author - Ryan Thompson
Editor - Jamie P
The memories of 1990, when they were narrowly beaten by Manchester United after a replay, and the 2016 final, which ended in extra-time disappointment against the same opponents, still linger for us all.
Now, with a new generation of players, we have the chance to write a new chapter in the club’s history and bring silverware to Selhurst Park.
How can Palace win?
To lift the Cup, we will need to show belief, bravery and composure. The team standing in the way is one shaped by years of success, guided by a manager of rare brilliance and driven on by the emotion surrounding one of Kevin De Bruyne’s final appearances. However, they have shown a lot of weaknesses this season. Their poor run of form earlier in the campaign a sign that we can beat them.
Oliver Glasner and his squad won’t have forgotten what happened just five weeks ago, when City put five past us in 46 ruthless minutes. But nor will City have dismissed the memory of going two goals down to us, and how close we came to making it three.
The impact of us winning
If we win, Glasner’s side will have played ten cup ties this season, winning nine and losing only once. Finishing that run by lifting the FA Cup would open valuable new doors for the club. As well as being our final opponent this season, Liverpool would also be our first competitive test next season, with the Community Shield on the horizon.
Midweek football in Europe would bring fresh challenges, not least in terms of the transfer budget. At present, our only real game-changers on the bench are Franca, Esse and Nketiah. As we saw with Brighton during their first European campaign, the extra fixtures and travel take their toll. Injuries are almost inevitable.
READ MORE: FA Cup news and stories
Key players for us
Ultimately, every player will need to be outstanding if we are to win the competition. However, I've picked out two that might be key to our chances.
Eddie Nketiah has been involved in a goal in each of his last 3 FA Cup appearances (2 goals, 1 assist), all as a substitute. He’s also won the FA Cup once before, playing 8 minutes from the bench in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea in 2020.
Eberechi Eze has been involved in 4 goals in his last 4 games in the FA Cup (3 goals, 1 assist), putting them 1-0 up in their semi-final win against Aston Villa. He hadn’t registered a single goal or assist in any of his first 14 appearances in the competition.
Should either of these two lads score, legend status awaits them. Maybe, someone unexpected will be the hero on the day.
