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Eze Stuns Man City To Win First FA Cup For Palace
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Crystal Palace stunned Manchester City on Saturday to win the FA Cup for the first time as Eberechi Eze sealed a 1-0 victory that piled on the misery for Pep Guardiola’s troubled side.
Eze’s early strike rocked City before Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saved Omar Marmoush’s penalty late in the first half of a dramatic final at Wembley.
While Eze’s clinical finish was the culmination of his remarkable rise from rejection by Arsenal, Fulham and Millwall as a youngster, it was Henderson who emerged as Palace’s hero with a series of superb saves.
City will protest that Henderson should have been sent off for a first-half handball outside his penalty area.
But Henderson made the most of that controversial moment to ensure Palace clinched the first major trophy in their 120-year history and a place in next season’s Europa League.
Beaten by Manchester United in their previous FA Cup final appearances in 1990 and 2016, Palace’s shock win was no more than they deserved as City once again imploded in a dismal season that will be their first without major silverware since 2016-17.
After winning the Premier League in the previous four seasons, City have endured a turbulent campaign that ranks among the worst in Guardiola’s storied managerial career.
Currently sixth in the Premier League, City host Bournemouth on Tuesday and travel to Fulham on May 25 as they try to salvage their wretched year by at least qualifying for the Champions League.
Guardiola had questioned his players’ hunger as they failed to keep pace with Liverpool in the title race and crashed out of the Champions League.
While desire might not have been an issue against Palace, City’s lack of direction in their second successive FA Cup final defeat was an alarming sign for the future as Guardiola was out-witted by Eagles boss Oliver Glasner.
Not for the first time, Guardiola sprang a surprise with his selection for a final as he picked an ultra-attacking line-up with no holding midfielder.
Guardiola gamble backfires
However, Guardiola’s habit of tinkering with his tactics for finals has backfired in the past.
Asked about City’s line-up just before kick-off, Guardiola said he was putting his faith in “talent”, but Glasner had spotted an opening, saying: “When you have so many attacking players it could give you an opportunity in transitions.”
Erling Haaland nearly gave City the perfect start when he stretched to meet Kevin De Bruyne’s cross with a volley that forced a scrambled save from Henderson.
Josko Gvardiol’s towering header from Savinho’s corner was smartly repelled by Henderson.
But Glasner’s clever decision to set up Palace deep inside their own half had lured City in for the sucker punch.
Eze delivered the knockout blow from Palace’s first attack in the 16th minute as Glasner’s men launched a brilliant break from their penalty area.
Jean-Philippe Mateta held up Chris Richards’ long pass and laid it off to Daniel Munoz, who surged down the right flank before crossing towards Eze, who guided a superb volley past Stefan Ortega from 12 yards.
City were furious when Henderson escaped a red card when VAR checked his handball, which appeared to take place outside the area, after the ‘keeper rushed out to challenge Haaland.
VAR said it was “not an obvious goal-scoring opportunity” but it proved crucial as Henderson rescued Palace in the 35th minute.
Tyrick Mitchell conceded the penalty with a needless foul on Bernardo Silva as the City midfielder ran away from goal.
Instead of Haaland taking the spot-kick, it was Marmoush who stepped up after the Norway star gave him the ball in a disastrous move as Henderson plunged to his right to keep out the Egyptian’s strike.
Henderson was in inspired form and he denied City again, clawing away a Jeremy Doku strike that appeared destined for the top corner.
Defending tirelessly, Palace were indebted to Henderson, who made two more brilliant saves from Claudio Echeverri to cap a chastening afternoon for Guardiola.
AFP
Tottenham Hotspur secured Premier League survival on a dramatic final day of the season, while West Ham United were relegated after 14 years in the top flight.
Spurs went into their final match against Everton needing at least a draw to guarantee safety, with only goal difference separating them from West Ham.
João Paulinha gave Tottenham a crucial breakthrough just before half-time, easing tension at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and putting Spurs in control of their survival battle.
West Ham, meanwhile, were also fighting for survival in their own fixture against Leeds, knowing only a strong result combined with other outcomes could save them.
Valentín Castellanos briefly raised hopes for the Hammers by giving them the lead, but it was not enough to overturn their situation in the table.
Late goals from Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson were insufficient as West Ham’s 14-year stay in the Premier League came to an end.
Tottenham held firm to secure the result they needed, completing a dramatic escape from relegation on the final day of the campaign.
Rangers International F.C. have etched their name deeper into Nigerian football history after defeating Ikorodu City F.C. 2-1 on Sunday to win the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title.
The victory at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena secured Rangers’ ninth league crown, drawing them level with Enyimba F.C. as the most successful clubs in NPFL history.
The encounter, widely regarded as the standout fixture of the final matchday, lived up to expectations as both sides approached the contest with everything at stake.
Rangers arrived in Lagos knowing that only victory would guarantee them the title, with second-placed Rivers United F.C. waiting to capitalise on any slip from the league leaders.
Ikorodu City, meanwhile, also had plenty to fight for, as a win would significantly boost their hopes of securing continental football next season.
The Flying Antelopes began brightly and eventually found the breakthrough in the 30th minute through captain Chidiebere Nwobodo, who finished calmly to hand the visitors a deserved lead.
Rangers maintained control for large spells of the opening half and carried their 1-0 advantage into the break.
The Enugu side resumed the second half with renewed attacking intent, repeatedly testing the Ikorodu City defence in search of a second goal.
Their pressure paid off in the 55th minute when Nwobodo struck again, completing his brace and sending Rangers supporters into wild celebrations.
However, the hosts responded almost immediately.
Ikorodu City pulled one back three minutes later through Moses Ali, setting up a nervy finish and raising the intensity inside the stadium.
The goal ensured a tense final stretch for Rangers, who knew that anything short of victory could hand the title to Rivers United, who were already cruising to a comfortable win over Katsina United F.C. in Port Harcourt.
Despite mounting pressure from the hosts, Rangers held firm to preserve their 2-1 lead until the final whistle, sparking jubilant scenes among players and fans, who broke into chants of “Holy, Holy, Holy, Enugu Rangers is another champion”.
The victory capped one of the most dramatic final-day title races in recent NPFL history, with Rangers ultimately finishing ahead of Rivers United, who defeated Katsina United 3-0 but fell just short in the championship race.
Both Rangers and Rivers United will represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League, while Shooting Stars S.C. secured a CAF Confederation Cup spot after finishing third.
At the other end of the table, there was a major shock as defending champions Remo Stars F.C. suffered relegation after ending the campaign in 17th position.
Elkanami Warriors, Bayelsa United F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. were the other teams relegated, finishing 18th, 19th and 20th respectively.
Rangers’ triumph marks another landmark achievement for the Coal City club and further cements their place among Nigeria’s football elite.
Pep Guardiola and Mohamed Salah entered the history books following the conclusion of the 2025/26 Premier League season on Sunday.
Both men will leave Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively, after the Premier League campaign ended on Sunday evening.
Guardiola led Man City in his final game in charge of the club as they lost 2-1 against Aston Villa at Etihad.
However, according to OptaJoe, the match against Villa was Guardiola’s 593rd and final game at Manchester City, overtaking the Cityzens former manager Les McDowall for most games in charge of the Premier League giants in their history.
Similarly, Salah provided teammate Curtis Jones with an assist as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Brentford at Anfield on the final day of the Premier League.
Salah’s assist was his 93rd for Liverpool in the Premier League, surpassing Steven Gerrard’s 92 assists to become the outright most for the Reds in the competition.
The Egyptian international will now leave Liverpool for a new club as the Premier League season ended today.
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