Philippa Kaur

MANCHESTER CITY suffered FA Cup final heartbreak after being outbattled by Crystal Palace at Wembley. Pep Guardiola’s men have failed to win a trophy this season after a 1-0 defeat in North London. It was a day to forget for Manchester City at Wembley as they lost the FA Cup finalCredit: EPASavinho was among a host of City stars to underperformCredit: AlamyGuardiola surprised fans with an attacking line-up, opting for Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in the middle of the park. But it proved to be a day to forget for the reigning Prem champions, who ran into an inspired Dean Henderson in the Palace goal.Eberechi Eze smashed in the opener against the run of play in the first half. Despite dominating possession for much of the game, City couldn’t force an equalise after the break. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHere’s how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated Guardiola’s side at Wembley.Stefan Ortega – 6German got the nod ahead of Ederson as he often does in the domestic cup games. Had hardly touched the ball when he was picking it out of the net for Palace’s opener. Got away with one when Palace saw a second ruled out for offside but a quiet day – despite ending on the losing side. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKManuel Akanji – 6Asked to fill in at right back – picked ahead of Nunes and Rico Lewis who would both be disappointed. Flicked a header onto top of net early on and dealt well with what came down his flank. Man City and Crystal Palace staff in furious touchline bust-up as they are forced apart in FA Cup finalGuardiola will be pleased to have him back for a huge week ahead for his team. Ruben Dias – 6Made more passes than the whole Palace team in the first half as City bossed it but ended up behind. Slow to react when Daniel Munoz looked to have scored Palace’s second but bailed out by the VAR with the goal given as offside.Josko Gvardiol – 7Almost repeated his trick from the semi-final but his early header was saved by Henderson. Had his hands full when Palace attacked with the likes of Jean-Phillippe Mateta and Eze but kept the livewire forwards in check – more comfortable at centre-back.Nico O’Reilly – 6Rewarded for his big contribution to City’s cup run with a start in the final. But the youngster is not a left-back and was caught out for the Palace opening goal when he gave Munoz too much space. Denied an equaliser when his effort was blocked towards the end.Bernardo Silva – 7Picked to play a deeper role in Pep’s new look system and as usual did a job for his boss. Got forward to win his team the penalty and saw a late effort blocked by Kamada. Had done a good stint by the time he was subbed late on.Kevin De Bruyne – 6The Belgian was picked to start and captain the side one final time before he leaves these shores this summer. His early cross almost created the opener for Haaland and late snapshot just wide. But sadly there was to be no fairytale ending to his outstanding City career.Jeremy Doku – 6Another who saw plenty of the ball but could not do much with it.Curling effort saved superbly by Henderson and fired another over the bar after the break – but for all his dribbling skills he needs to produce more for his team-mates. May be more effective as an impact sub.Savinho – 5Saw plenty of the ball in the first half and gave his full-back some problems – but the lack of end product was frustrating. Slightly more productive after the break however, he was replaced by Phil Foden in a bid to give City some new ideas.Could have no complaints.Omar Marmoush – 6Surprised everyone by stepping up to take the penalty off Haaland but then missed it. The Egyptian has perked up City’s season since he arrived in January but this was not his day as he tried to play in the gap just behind Haaland. No surprise when he was subbed late on to be replaced by rookie Claudio Echeverri.Erling Haaland – 6Hasn’t scored at Wembley – so why did he give up the penalty? The Norwegian always backs himself, so it seemed strange for him to give up the ball. At the centre of the red card controversy and forced a couple of good saves from the Palace keeper.SubstitutesPhil Foden (for Savinho ’77) – Neat and tidy but could not rescue the game. 5Read More on The SunClaudio Echevveri (for Marmoush ’77) – Almost a dream debut but late chance saved by Henderson. 6Ilkay Gundogan (for Silva ’88) – Not enough time to make a major impact. 5 More

CRYSTAL PALACE have made history after beating Manchester City in a pulsating FA Cup final. Eberechi Eze was the Eagles’ hero as Oliver Glasner’s men held on for a dramatic 1-0 win. Eberechi Eze was the matchwinner as Crystal Palace stunned Manchester CityCredit: GettyPalace have won their first-ever major domestic trophyCredit: AlamyIt sealed Palace’s first-ever domestic major trophy in their 119-year history. Eze lashed the underdogs ahead against the run of play in the first half, finishing beautifully from a Daniel Munoz cross.Dean Henderson was inspired in the Palace goal, making multiple superb saves – including from Omar Marmoush’s penalty.But there was a question on whether he should have remained on the field after appearing to handle outside the box.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIn the end, Palace secured a deserved win through a superb rearguard action and some highlight performances. Here’s how SunSport’s Dan King rated Glasner’s history makers at Wembley.Dean Henderson – 9 BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKEarly saves from Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol. Should not have been on pitch to save Omar Marmoush’s penalty, having somehow escaped a red card for earlier handball. Most read in FootballMan City and Crystal Palace staff in furious touchline bust-up as they are forced apart in FA Cup finalMade another good stop from Jeremy Doku. Less busy in second half until two late saves from Echeverri.Marc Guehi – 8A captain’s performance as part of Palace’s three-man defence until forced off.Absolutely crucial header under his own crossbar after a Henderson save. Took a ball hard in the face and had to leave field.Maxence Lacroix – 7 Least impressive of the centre backs but still solid enough as Palace stood firm in the first half. Important header away from Haaland early in the second and more responsibility after Guehi went off. Kept Haaland pretty quiet.Chris Richards – 9Calm and composed under City pressure. Always seemed to be in the right place to tidy up when attacks broke down. Won some important headers. and made some important interventions. Excellent partnership with Munoz.Tyrick Mitchell – 7Played his part in withstanding the City siege.Seemed to have undone all his and Palace’s good work with challenge on Silva that conceded the penalty. But kept his head well and dealt well with Savinho.Daniel Munoz – 9Kept his cool defending in the box, unlike Mitchell, making important challenge on Nico O’Reilly in second half. Brilliant cross for Eze goal and another which Sarr almost converted. Had goal rightly ruled out for offside in build-up. Tireless display.Adam Wharton – 8Very disciplined performance without the ball, holding his position and choosing moments well to make challenges. Some decent passes, too, when the time was right. Easy to see why City and others want him.Daichi Kamada – 8Plenty of energy right from the start, albeit not always with the outcome he would have wanted.Passing improved as the game went on and made an excellent challenge on Silva early in the second half.Ismaila Sarr – 6Was not always pressing as high as Glasner wanted and not offering much of an outlet when Palace did regain the ball. Could have made it 2-0 but didn’t quite catch his first-half shot. Did not really improve after break. Eberechi Eze – 7Fine volleyed goal was probably his first meaningful contribution.Was not defending as boss Glasner wanted and unable to impose himself in final third. Fierce effort that was blocked was only moment of second half.Jean-Philippe Mateta – 7Found Munoz out wide in the build-up to opening goal but otherwise pretty ineffective, resorting to some play-acting in the first half. Won the odd header as Palace cleared their lines in second half but a frustrating day.SubstitutesJefferson Lerma (for Guehi, 61) – Had filled in at centre back before but never in such circumstances. Did himself and the club proud with a nerveless half hour: 7 Read More on The SunEddie Nketiah (for Mateta, 78) – Needed to offer more than the man he had replaced and just about did, at least by buying fouls: 6Will Hughes (for Wharton, 87) – The cult hero came on to try to see the game out: 6 More

MANCHESTER CITY handed ‘the right-footed Messi’ his debut in the FA Cup final despite never having made the bench for the club.Desperately chasing a late goal, Pep Guardiola turned to the 19-year-old rookie for inspiration.Echeverri made his debut on SaturdayCredit: PADe Bruyne found the substitute unmarked in the boxCredit: GettyThe youngster had never been named on the City bench beforeThe Argentine’s shot didn’t trouble HendersonIt was a golden chance to bring City levelAnd Echeverri – who was compared to a young Messi by BBC’s commentary team – had the chance to draw the score level with a golden chance just minutes after coming on the pitch.The starlet was unmarked when the ball appeared at his feet from only ten yards out after a clever pass from Kevin De Bruyne.He came on in the 77th minute and five minutes later he thought he was about to steal the headlines.In what was one of the standout chances of the whole match, the teenager smashed a shot straight at Palace’s Henderson.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAny considered placement either side of the keeper could have given De Bruyne an FA Cup final assist in his last chance at silverware for the club before he leaves.The Belgian instead was not able to add to his heaving trophy cabinet.Man City could not get over Palace’s early goal and fell to a 1-0 defeat in North-West London.It was a momentous occasion for Echeverri despite the scoreline.Most read in FA CupJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe attacking Argentine arrived at City in January 2024 – before being loaned back to River Plate for a year.But he had not been given a sniff until the Manchester club faced defeat against Crystal Palace on Sunday.Man City and Crystal Palace staff in furious touchline bust-up as they are forced apart in FA Cup finalHe had been dubbed a ‘wonderboy’ on his arrival.The youngster will hope that this appearance is the first of many… and that it will prove to be a rare defeat. More