EBERECHI EZE has given Crystal Palace a DREAM start against Man City in the FA Cup final – before Omar Marmoush then MISSED a penalty for Man City!
The Eagles have never lifted a major trophy in their 120-year existence as a professional club.
However, Pep’s men earned their spot by beating a then-in-form Nottingham Forest in the previous round, and will be desperate to secure silverware despite having a well below-par campaign.
The game is starting at 4.30pm after BBC and ITV came to an agreement over the off time – the former wanted a 3pm kick-off to avoid a clash with Eurovision, while the latter wanted a prime 5.30pm slot.
- Kick-off time: 4.30pm BST
- FREE live stream: BBC iPlayer / ITV X
- TV channel: BBC One / ITV 1
- Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Kamada, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
- Man City XI: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Savinho, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland.
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Follow ALL the action from the FA Cup final with our live blog below…
Penalty save by Henderson!
It’s Marmoush he steps up, not Haaland.
He goes to Henderson’s right and the goal keeper goes the correct way!
A follow up shot by Haaland but Henderson gathers.
Wow!
Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City
Penalty to Man City!
Mitchell fouls Bernado Silva just out of the six-yard box.
It was a diving challenge he probably shouldn’t have made.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City
30′ Palace are staying firm defensively, not letting much get through.
Doku tries a shimmy on the left wing and almost gets a ball through, but it’s gathered by Henderson easily.
View from SunSport’s Charlie Wyett at Wembley
It is incredible that we are a quarter of the way through the final, Palace lead 1-0 and they have only had 17 per cent possession.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City
28. Palace regain possession and go direct to Mateta, he manages to win a throw-in in a dangerous position.
Richards puts in the long throw but City manage to clear.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City
26. Should that have been a red?
On replay it seems that Henderson may have swiped the ball from Haaland just outside the box.
But according to VAR the ball was going away from the goal and was not denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
City fans will not be happy with that!
Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City
24. A long ball over the top comes to Haaland who doesn’t quite control it.
But Henderson pushes it away and Haaland picks the ball up he gives it to Marmoush who can’t get a good chance away.
View from SunSport’s Martin Blackburn at Wembley
The story of City’s season – how many times have we seen them in charge of matches and then fall behind with almost their opponents first attack?
Eberechi Eze was once on Pep’s list of transfer targets – maybe they were rueing the fact they did not push harder as he swept the Eagles ahead completely against the run of play.
Fans were concerned the lack of a defensive midfielder would cause a problem for their team – and so it proved.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City
22. Man City go back to their slow build up but Palace win the ball and earn a throw in.
The possession stat is currently 83% to 17%, but Palace won’t care!
Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City
19. After that goal the game has completely opened up.
City try to come back with a chance of there own but after Palace clear it they go back up the pitch and force Ortega to make a crucial save.
What a game this has suddenly become!
Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City
16. What a team goal by Crystal Palace!
Going from back to front, Palace build up the possession and after a long ball Mateta passes it to Munoz who cleanly passes through to Eze for a simple tap in.
Goal Crystal Palace! Ebere Eze
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City
15. This constant pressure from City will have to pay soon, they’re all over them.
Palace have maybe been past the halfway line once.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City
13. Another corner from City which leads to Henderson making another save.
Palace clear but City gain possession straight away.
After another cross into the box, City have another corner but the header goes over the box.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City
11. Doku picks up the Ball on the left trying to create something but is unable to get through.
City just keeps coming and are relentless so far in this match.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City
9. After a few quick corners, City keep on pressing and keep putting balls in the danger zone.
Palace do well to defend.
A ball down the line for Mateta, but he’s unable to control it.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City
7. Close! Palace get the ball and try a long ball but it goes out for a throw in.
Man City get back on the Ball and De Bruyne puts in a wonderful cross for Haaland, who narrowly misses from the six-yard box.
It’s a great save by Henderson.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City
5. City are holding all the possession so far, with Palace looking to counter.
Palace are playing deep, trying to soak up the pressure.
Eze wins the ball but is quickly fouled by Akanji.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City
3. As Dean Henderson hoists the ball up the pitch, Gvardiol clashes with Ismaila Sarr who an early free kick.
Man City begin by holding possession and passing it around the back, trying to find a way through this Palace defense.
Kickoff – Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
1. Palace wins the coin toss, and it’s Eze who kicks us off.
Stuart Atwell is our referee today, and both teams are able to wear their traditional colours on this beautiful sunny day.
All eyes on Wembley
Wembley Stadium is set, the fans are soaking up the atmosphere, and Kickoff is just moments away.
Man City are chasing another trophy while Palace are hoping of making history, wanting to claim their first major title.
Toughest ever
Pep Guardiola also appeared before the match and described this seson as “the toughest season of my career” due to the standards City have set in recent seasons.
He said: “I have been here more than 20 times: semi-finals, finals, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup. The first time is always the emotion, but we prefer to be here than at home.
“It has been a tough season for one reason because our standard was so unbelievably high.
“We are in the final of the FA Cup – we are fighting to play for the Champions League. We will see what happens.
“Hopefully, we can show our best and lift the second title of the season and fight to qualify for the Champions League next season.
“We tried to create as a team, really good in transitions, really good in set-pieces. For that, the only way to break it up is talent.”
‘I’m old school’
Erling Haaland was speaking to BBC before kick-off and said: “I like Neil Warnock, he’s a bit old schoool and I’m a but old school because of my dad.
“I agree with his tactics which is sometimes you have to just kick and run!”
15 to go
The FA Cup final gets underway in 15 minutes at Wembley.
Man City come into this match as the favourites, but Crystal Palace are no pushovers.
It’s set up to be a great game, and you can expect goals.
King Kev banner
Man City fans are set to unveil a huge tifo in honour of Kevin De Bruyne, who will play in his final match for the club today.
It has also been reported that Erling Haaland donated around €5,000 (£4,200) to the 1894 fan group to help fund the banners.
The design will show De Bruyne’s face on a pack of cards that fan to all the trophies he’s won.
There’s been 14 of them.
We’ll share a picture when it comes through.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
