Crystal Palace star forced to miss jubilant FA Cup celebrations after injury
Palace players lifted the trophy after holding off City at Wembley.
Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton was forced to miss his side’s jubilant FA Cup final celebrations after beating Manchester City at Wembley.
The Eagles secured their first ever piece of major silverware with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s side with Eberechi Eze scoring the game’s only goal after 16 minutes.
Wharton, signed from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024, has emerged as one of the Premier League’s best young midfielders with Real Madrid and Barcelona reportedly among his growing list of admirers.
The 21-year-old recovered from an injury that ruled him out of last weekend’s win over Tottenham to take his place in the starting XI at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
The midfielder played a pivotal role in helping keep City at bay, vitally blocking a shot from Kevin de Bruyne in the second-half.
Get personalised updates on Manchester City every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
The Belgian’s shot struck Wharton in the back of the head, forcing Palace to withdraw him with Will Hughes replacing him after 87 minutes.
Wharton was not spotted as the Palace party got started on the pitch at full-time, undergoing concussion checks off the pitch, Fabrizio Romano reports.
Crystal Palace have two games left remaining in the Premier League against Wolves and Liverpool but will be in party-mode with the club teasing a special celebration to take place on Monday 26 May.
Focus will then switch to next season with the Eagles set to compete in the Europa League thanks to their FA Cup triumph.
‘We wanted to write history,’ Glasner said. ‘I think we wrote a big chapter in history. And next year, we will start to write a new chapter: the first year in Europe.
‘The biggest achievement is not lifting the trophy, it’s giving tens of thousands of south Londoners a moment for their life. We could give them good times.
‘Maybe they have some problems at home. We gave them hours and days when they can forget all of this.
‘This connection with Crystal Palace will stay forever. It is massive what everyone has done for the club.”
The Palace boss continued: ‘I got the feeling during this season of a group of players that can achieve incredible things. I know we have talented players, but we have great characters, such a togetherness, work ethic, environment, atmosphere.
‘This is fundamental for maybe achieving impossible things.’
