The magical cup run
When the 2024‑25 season started, Palace fans were hoping for another safe mid‑table finish. Nobody could have guessed the drama that would unfold at Selhurst Park and beyond. Manager Oliver Glasner rewired the team’s mindset, insisting that every knockout game was a chance to rewrite the club’s history.
The journey began on March 1st with a 3‑1 win over Millwall. Goals from Roberts, Bangura‑Williams, Harding and Cooper left the Selhurst crowd buzzing and secured a spot in the quarter‑finals. It felt like a statement: Palace were not just looking for points, they were hunting silverware.
At Craven Cottage, the Eagles delivered a masterclass, thrashing Fulham 3‑0 in front of 26,222 fans. The victory showed how Glasner's tactics—high pressing, swift transitions and disciplined defending—could dominate even away from home. The win set the tone for the biggest test yet: a semi‑final against Aston Villa at Wembley.
April 26th brought a sea of 82,301 spectators, and Palace rose to the occasion. Kamara’s 17th‑minute strike opened the scoring, and the team never looked back, cruising to a 3‑0 victory. The performance silenced any doubts about the Eagles’ ability to handle pressure on football’s grandest stage.
The final on May 17th was a storybook ending. Manchester City, the league champions, were heavy favourites, but Palace held firm. A solitary goal gave the Eagles a 1‑0 win in front of 84,163 Wembley fans. The after‑match celebrations in South London were electric; for the first time in the modern era, the Eagles lifted the FA Cup.
Key players and the lasting legacy
While the cup run stole headlines, the Premier League campaign provided the skeleton of the success. Palace marked their 12th straight season in the top flight, and several players shone brighter than ever.
- Jean‑Philippe Mateta emerged as the club’s out‑and‑out striker, netting 14 goals and racking up 150 Fantasy Premier League points. His consistency earned three Team of the Week nods and made him the most valuable signing of the summer.
- Ismaïla Sarr turned heads with his pace and creativity, contributing 149 FPL points and several key assists that unlocked stubborn defences.
- Ebere Eze added flair in the final third, threading passes that often broke the line and creating space for his teammates.
- Defender Daniel Muñoz anchored the back line, his positional sense and aerial ability giving Glasner the confidence to push his full‑backs forward.
- Goalkeeper Dean Henderson provided the safety net, pulling off crucial saves in both league matches and the cup’s knockout stages.
The blend of veteran reliability and youthful energy created a squad that could adapt to any opponent. Glasner’s Austrian pedigree showed in his tactical flexibility: he could shift to a high‑pressing 4‑3‑3 against weaker sides, then tighten up to a compact 4‑5‑1 when facing the likes of City.
Beyond the trophies, the triumph sparked a cultural shift. Fans started talking about a "New Empire in South London," and the city’s streets filled with Eagles’ banners for weeks after the final. The victory also placed Palace on the European map, guaranteeing a spot in next season’s Europa League.
Palace’s success was part of a wider narrative that saw three Premier League clubs—Newcastle, Tottenham and Crystal Palace—claim major honours in the same season, a feat not seen in 12 years. While Liverpool held the league crown, the FA Cup win gave the Eagles a story that will be told for generations.
Glasner, now hailed as "Glasner the Great" by supporters, proved that proper leadership can turn a team from mid‑table mediocrity into cup‑winning giants. His ability to motivate players in high‑stakes moments, especially during the FA Cup’s knockout rounds where the margins are razor‑thin, was the decisive factor.
Looking ahead, the club faces the challenge of balancing a demanding European schedule with the fight for Premier League stability. Yet the belief instilled this season provides a solid foundation. The Eagles have shown they belong among England’s elite, and the fans now expect nothing less than regular contention for trophies.
