Thanks for reading our matchday blog, and indeed emailing in or commenting BTL.
It’s over to Rob Smyth for our live coverage of the game that kicks off at 4.30pm BST.
Best of luck to supporters of both teams. Bye for now.
If you missed any of our FA Cup final-related smorgasbord of content, here it is:
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As a Palace fan mentioned earlier, De Bruyne likes playing the Eagles.
I was at this game, last year, when the Belgian was on absolutely inspired form:
De Bruyne’s display then, his 250th Premier League game for City, moved Pep Guardiola to say this:
“The numbers, presence, consistency have been amazing. He is one of the best players in the history of Man City. The goals, assists, the lot. What can I say? The first goal is unbelievable and so is the assist for Erling [Haaland].”
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Great to see Pep buying into the De Bruyne narrative, which really does feel like a major pre-match source of energy. Having left him out of the semi-final against Forest and then doubled down on the party-popping by not bringing him on, De Bruyne is very much in from the outset here. Ready to write his own send-off script as he chases a 20th title with City.
Rob Smyth’s take on the City team: “Pep Guardiola has picked a really attacking team, with no holding midfielder. That’s a fascinating decision, particularly because the last time he did that in a final was when they lost to Chelsea in the Champions League final of 2021.”
Teams
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1) Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sara, Eze; Mateta.
Manchester City (possible 4-2-3-1) Ortega; Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne; Savinho, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland.
Your Palace XI for the @EmiratesFACup Final 🦅🙌#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 17, 2025
Your #FACup final City line-up 🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 17, 2025
XI | Ortega Moreno, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Bernardo, De Bruyne (C), Savinho, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Ederson, Grealish, Nico, Gundogan, Reis, Nunes, Echeverri, Khusanov, Foden#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/PkcnCxySEQ
It’s half time in the Bundesliga final day. Former Crystal Palace man Michael Olise has put the champions Bayern 1-0 ahead at Hoffenheim.
Why not check out all the scores here?
The actual, real-time FA Cup final live blog has now launched. Rob Smyth is in the hotseat. I’m going to keep things bubbling here for a little while mind you.
“Surely there is only one appropriate choice of headgear for fans at Wembley today?” emails Jeremy Boyce. “I’m sure I’m not the first reader to make the fedora connection between today’s combatants ? Because of course the great Malcolm Allison managed both clubs. I caught a glimpse of the fedora once, on an away trip to Selhurst Park to watch the Durban/Div 2 era Mighty Shrews scrape a 1-1 draw.
Incidentally, I think part of Palace’s successful establishment in the Premier League is down to the fact that it was always the most difficult ground to get to in London. By the time you get there (player or fan) you have no clue where you are or what’s going on. And then you’ve got to get home afterwards. May the better fedora win!
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And that concludes the Barney Ronay FA Cup final Q and A.
Thank you to everyone who took part, but especially Barney.
A question from Justin Kavanagh for Barney: We all treasure the Matthews cup final, the Brady cup final, the Gerrard cup final, etc. So if you were to choose one player who might stamp his name on FA Cup history today, who might it be? Or is that too Eze a question?
Barney says: I hope Palace’s reserve keeper Remi Matthews gets to come on, saves a penalty and then scores the winner, so we can forever more talk about the Matthews Final.
Actually this happens less doesn’t it. The team is the star now. The system is the key player. What I really hope is that by 6.30pm this evening we’re talking about the Great Counterpress Final of 2025, or the Rapid Transitions Final, or the Underlap in Wide Channels final. Because then football will have won.
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James Forrest gave Celtic fans the finale they craved as he equalised in stoppage time against St Mirren to extend his run of scoring for the club to 16 consecutive seasons.
Forrest left it until the league season was 38 games old to get off the mark on a day when he was chosen to deliver the Premiership trophy to his teammates before Callum McGregor lifted it for the fourth year running.
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Fearandloathingpart2 asks: Will Barney answer questions using his usual florid prose (not a criticism, he excels at it)?
Barney says: No.
Although now you mention it, this is the kind of question that raises a much wider concertina of related ... [dies]
Do Crystal Palace need a bigger shiny new stadium to progress? Or do you like the charm of their creaking but atmospheric Selhurst Park?
Barney writes: They need to think very carefully about it. The costs are vast, the rewards delayed and new stadiums are simply the fashion right now. I’d be fine with just getting rid of all those poles and posts, make the walkways and fan “facilities” modern, and maybe invest massive amounts in expanding the Jerk shack on the main road. I hope they stay there. It’s full of memories. And it still has that great corrugated roof noise that football is in danger of losing.
Worth remembering, too, that a Palace win would get them into the Europa League and see them play European football for the first time in their history. Well, apart from when they competed in the 1998 InterToto Cup, which surely does not count.
Does it?! That year, they were the only English team to have applied for the competition and been accepted. They did not last long, losing 2-0 in each leg of their tie against Turkish team, Samsunspor, to exit. Ah wait. There was also their appearances in the Anglo-Italian Cup in the early 1970s. Surely that doesn’t count …
AFC Wimbledon secured their place in the League Two playoff final as they defeated Notts County 2-0 on aggregate. An early strike by Josh Neufville gave the south London side a 1-0 second-leg victory at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. The Dons will face Walsall at Wembley on Monday 26 May for a place in League One.
I decided to test the workflow and ask Barney my own question, which was this: Why does the FA Cup feel more exciting this season? Was it simply the lack of bigger teams left standing in later rounds? Or something else?
Barney says: I think on a basic level it has just been a good FA Cup with good games and a sense most of these involved genuinely want to win. But also our brains are bombarded with so much content, so much noise, constant stimulation we have come to crave it and thirst after it and feel its absence.
And the fact is the rest of elite level football has been a little empty-feeling. It leaves a machinery for content delivery that must always be on, and a shortage of substance to fill it. Hence the two month pretence that “the battle for sixth” actually means something. Hence also the renewed sense of energy in the cup, which should feel fun and interesting. It’s an end of season knockout competition. What I’m saying is, maybe you just want to feel something.
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I think the detail that is most noticeable for me in terms of Palace, having been with loads of their fans on the way to Wembley, is the quiet sense of confidence, the hope. I know it kills you, etc.
But they know that their team is in form and with this manager and these players (especially Eze) they believe they can hurt City. I haven’t looked the bookmakers’ odds yet but Palace do not feel like big underdogs – as they would have done against these opponents in any other year of Guardiola’s tenure. Note to desk – please delete this when City win comfortably …
Question for Barney, from stooze: You often use literary references that (mostly) go over my head and make me realise my ‘reading career’ has been kind of sparse. So I just wondered what your background was with literature/education, etc ? Bit of a summary, maybe? Personally, I’ve got some Shakespeare, poetry and a few other classics, but most of my go-to references are from films (Coen Brothers, Monty Python..etc) or telly such as Blackadder and the like.
Barney replies: That’s just, like, your opinion man.
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OK, Barney is in position at Wembley, and we are kicking off our Q and A now.
First up is a question from John Welsh: Do Crystal Palace have the best shot of any underdog taking on City in a final in recent years?
Barney replies: Maybe, although perhaps only because Palace are less of an underdog. City have obvious weak points, they’re sixth in the league not cartwheeling away 10 points clear. And Palace are really good. I feel with Glasner and these players Palace are a rare example of a medium-sized English team being as good as the wealth and power of the Premier League suggests they should be. Hire a really smart coach. Have international players. Develop some of your own. This is what a long standing Premier League team should look like now. I hope they win. I’d like to see a new team win a cup. They deserve it. As ever all will depend on how well the game plan survives engagement with the enemy.
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Oh, the final day of the Bundesliga has also kicked off. Exciting times.
Everton’s clear-out has begun in earnest with the club confirming on Saturday that Ashley Young, goalkeepers Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia will be leaving when their contracts expire at the end of next month. Young joined the Blues in July 2023 and has made 68 appearances for David Moyes’s side.
Begovic returned to Everton last summer, having previously spent two years with the Blues between 2021-2023, and has made 10 appearances across those two spells. Virginia, meanwhile, signed from Arsenal in August 2018 and the 25-year-old has just eight appearances.
Moyes said: “Lots of factors influence our decision-making and we’re currently working through that process with the players, which takes time. Some will have clarity by the end of this week, and for others it may get to next week, but it’s important it’s handled in the right way.” Andy Martin
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What are the scores from Scotland?
Celtic 1-1 St Mirren
Dundee United 2-1 Aberdeen
Hibernian 2-2 Rangers
AFC Wimbledon reach League Two playoff final
It’s all over in south-west London. Josh Neufville’s early goal gives AFC Wimbledon a 1-0 win on the day, 2-0 on aggregate, and they will play Walsall at Wembley on Monday 26 May.
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Bradley signs new Liverpool deal
Breaking news from Liverpool: Conor Bradley has signed a new long-term contract with the Premier League champions, the club has announced. The 21-year-old has agreed to extend his six-year deal and said on Liverpool’s website: “To sign another contract, I’m very proud and happy to see what the next steps on our journey together will be. You’ve just got to keep your head down and keep working hard.
“It has been a fantastic two years [with the senior team]. Especially since coming back from loan and doing so well last year and continuing that this year. It’s been really good. So, hopefully we can keep going and keep making more memories.”
Bradley, who joined the club from Dungannon United in September 2019 and had a season-long spell on loan at Bolton, has made 27 appearances for Arne Slot’s side this season. He earned a Carabao Cup-winner’s medal in 2024 when Liverpool beat Chelsea. Andy Martin
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Here at football HQ, the sun is shining, the sward shiny green and mown resplendent, and on the stroll up Wembley Way it was heartening to witness Crystal Palace and Manchester City fans in jocular mood together.
At the moment, in the rows of pitch side media, I spy Michael Brown, Mark Chapman and Nedum Onuoha holding forth – and I have just had a quick chat with the esteemed and certifiable gent, John Murray, of BBC 5Live: he and I are looking forward to this one.
Back to our fan chat, and the final two questions, firstly: Which one of their players would you like to sign the most?
LS: “Simple, Wharton. He should be starting for England, alongside Declan Rice. He’s the best passer England has produced since Paul Scholes.”
CW: “Haaland or Marmoush would get a game - but I also really like the look of McAtee and O’Reilly. Their academy pipeline is incredible.”
What’s your predicted final score?
LS: “1-1 in normal time. Our bench and big-game experience should mean we get the job done in extra time, so 2-1. Marmoush and Gündogan as scorers. Eze for Palace.”
CW: “I’m not going to predict a score, I can’t do it. But I think it will be a game full of goals for both teams. It might just go down as a classic.”
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Stoppage time in the League Two semi-final, and AFC Wimbledon are still winning, 1-0 on the day and 2-0 on aggregate.
“Much as I sort of love “Fortress Selhurst” it is a dump, albeit one that is far easier to access than most away fans/journos complain about,” insists Mike, meanwhile.
“I’m a City fan and live in Beckenham,” emails Matt. “It’s lovely seeing all the kids in Palace tops on their way to the big game today. While obviously I hope we win (my memory isn’t so short that a cup final has stopped being a massive thrill), Palace are a proper football club who are impossible to hate. So I’d be chuffed for them if they win – especially after the trauma of losing to a terrible United team last year. Literally anything would be better than that!”
When I went out for lunch a bit earlier, I saw four Crystal Palace fans walking along the road eating ice creams. Is it a sign?
Anyway, do submit your questions for Barney Ronay ASAP. Questions about the FA Cup final, obviously.
Send them to matchday live or comment below the line.
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“On way to Wembley with my daughter, sister and future brother in law,” writes Wayne Riches.
“This is why Palace are such a special club: In 2016, my Dad and I went to the final. Sadly we had lost my Mum two months before and the day I could buy tickets was the day of her funeral. Palace allowed me to buy my tickets the day before.
“Sadly we have now lost my Dad. If we win today it is going to mean so much!
Palace also do so much for neurodiversity as well. They have a specially-designed area for neurodiverse individuals, which makes such a difference.”
Robbie Savage has agreed a two-year deal to remain as manager of Macclesfield after guiding them to promotion to National League North. Savage doubles as a director of the Silkmen, with the former Leicester, Blackburn and Birmingham midfielder having helped his friend Robert Smethurst relaunch the club after Macclesfield Town were wound up in 2020. In his first season as manager Macclesfield have stormed to promotion, sealing the Northern Premier League title with six games to spare and piling up 109 points from 42 games.
Taha Hashim’s Football Daily, from yesterday, also pays homage to the Pards dance:
Andy Martin has penned something about that infamous Pardew boogie in 2016:
“Has anyone nominated this as the most cringe-worthy moment in the history of the FA Cup - Palace manager’s Alan Pardew’s dad dance at 2016 FA Cup final Manchester United ?
“In response to Jason Puncheon’s goal in the 78th minute, Pardew essayed a hip-swaying, finger-clicking touchline faux pas that sends shivers down the spines of embarrassed Eagles fans to this day.
“He said: ‘It literally just happened and was a spontaneous thing. Me and my younger daughter had been messing about, dancing, and she was teaching me to do some moves and it must have been in my head.’ Palace lost and Pards was gone seven months later after being sacked by Palace in December 2016.”
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Please submit your questions for Barney Ronay.
Our chief sports writer will be along later.
You can comment below with your questions or email matchday live.
Here is Barney’s piece about the marvellous Eberechi Eze from after Palace’s quarter-final win at Fulham:
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The Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the Premier League’s Big Six era is over. The Gunners face Newcastle in their final home match on Sunday with both vying for a Champions League place. A win at the Emirates would take Eddie Howe’s side second.
With Manchester City scrambling to salvage a top-five spot, and Manchester United and Tottenham relying on Europa League success, Arteta said: “The level has gone to something bigger than what we have experienced in the previous 12 months and in the past.
“I know a lot of the coaches and we have had discussions about that, and it is frightening the way that it is evolving, and how competitive it is, and how difficult it is to win, and because the margins are so small next season is going to be even more difficult.
“If you ask any manager at the end of the season: ‘Can you promise to be in the Champions League next season?’, I don’t know who is going to say ‘yes’ to that, so that tells you the story.
“We understand the expectations and how people think but to get sustainability, stability and to be in the best possible position as a football club, as a squad and as a team, you certainly have to be in that competition.”
On which note …
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This is the real FA Cup final quiz:
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A large FA Cup replica trophy, inside the tunnel at Wembley, has been scribbled on by fan with good luck messages for their teams.
“Bring it home to Fat Boy SE25” is one such message.
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“Getting my 1990 palace shirt on as I get up in frosty Patagonia,” emails Jeremy.
“What I remember about the 2016 final is that the referee denied Palace one or maybe even two goalscoring opportunities by not playing an obvious advantage. Mateta and Sarr watch out ! COYP.”
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Too kind Tom, thank you.
Let’s get back to the fans’ view, continued from earlier:
How would you sum up their club in a sentence?
Lloyd Scragg: “Likeable, rooted in working-class culture, often the bridesmaid - but a club with renewed hope and momentum under a fantastic manager.”
Chris Waters: “Hmm, sorry Lloyd, I’ll struggle to be so generous. I’d say City are a state-funded club at a tipping point; they could be a real threat next season, or mired in legal hell.”
LS: “Honestly I think it’s reductive to label City as ‘state-funded’ and ignore our history before 2008. The core of City’s match-going fanbase is naturally still working-class Mancunians, despite the club’s efforts to erode that.”
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Right, my reign of terror is over. I’ll hand you back to the more-capable-than-me hands of Luke McLaughlin.
Has there ever been an FA Cup final single that’s not cringe? Well, Doc Brown might have finally have managed to make a good one.
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Returning to our FA Cup final sit-down with Lloyd Scragg (City) and Chris Waters (Palace).
What do you reckon their weak link is?
LS: “I guess it comes down to whether or not Wharton is fit. Hughes has done a sterling job this season, but Wharton would be a huge loss. I’d also look at Mitchell, who lacks Muñoz’s intensity and attacking threat – and I think he can be got at defensively.”
CW: “Not sure there is one for City – perhaps their mobility in midfield if they do play ‘the uncs’ as you call them! But De Bruyne always has a stormer against us anyway. Their strength off the bench is frightening too. Calling out Mitchell is an interesting one - many Palace fans would do the same - but again he has been playing very well the past few weeks.”
Rangers have taken the lead at Hibs, Cyriel Dessers with a goal after two minutes. Follow all the live scores here.
Fast start at the Cherry Red Records Stadium (Plough Lane, to you and me), Josh Neufville has put the home side ahead after two minutes and the Dons now have a 2-0 lead on aggregate.
We have a few 12.30pm kick-offs today ahead of events Wembley. In the Scottish Premiership, Celtic received a guard of honour from St Mirren, Dundee United are taking on Aberdeen and Hibs hosti Rangers. The second leg of the League Two playoff semi-final between Wimbledon and Notts County is also underway. Follow those scores live here.
Putting petty rivalries aside, Palace fan Wayne Riches has emailed in highlighting the positive impact his football club has had in tough times:
On way to Wembley with my daughter, sister and future brother in law. This is why Palace are such a special club. In 2016, my dad and I went to the final. Sadly we had lost my mum two months before and the day I could buy tickets was the day of her funeral. Palace allowed me to buy my tickets the day before. Sadly we have now lost my dad. If we win today is going to mean so much.
Palace also do so much for neuro diversity as well. They have a specially designed area for neuro diverse individuals which makes such a difference.
I was not aware of the neuro diverse area at Selhurst Park, that is a fantastic initiative. More like this please and best of luck today, Wayne.
I absolutely refuse to believe this is from a Brighton fan.
Hello, dear reader, unfortunately you have to put with me for a little while… so, anyone else rooting for City?
Here’s the case: a win for Palace kills another element of drama in the already very dead rubber final two games in the Premier League. Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham are all still in with a shout of European football, unless Palace win. Why would you want less drama? Insult me below the line or via the email above.
I’m off for a bit of lunch, Tom Bassam is stepping into the breach.
Here’s our news story on Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen signing for Real Madrid:
Before this season Manchester City have played at least one final – excluding the Community Shield – in all but two of Pep Guardiola’s eight campaigns as manager. Including the Community Shield, City have reached a final in all but one season (2016-17, Guardiola’s first) since 2009-10.
That contrasts with Crystal Palace, who have only contested a major trophy twice in their history, reaching – and losing – the FA Cup final in 1990 and in 2016, against Manchester United on both occasions. In playoff finals their record is impressive. Palace have been promoted to the top flight via the playoff final three times in the Premier League era (though they lost the 1995-96 Division One play-off final against Leicester). (Guardian Sport)
(As someone who goes to Selhurst Park fairly frequently, I agree with Lloyd’s point about it being a pleasingly old-school venue.)
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Back to our FA Cup final sit-down with Lloyd Scragg and Chris Waters, City and Palace fans respectively.
What do you think of their fans?
LS: “Palace have great fans. I’ve always admired them. I know other fans are snobby about the Holmesdale ultras but I like the energy they bring. Selhurst is one the best away grounds: a proper old-school, throwback experience in the sanitised Premier League.”
CW: “Difficult one … Judging by all the empty seats at the Etihad, their traditional fanbase can’t feel all that close to this project. There’s a sort of disconnect which we’re lucky not to have; our fans raised £45k for the tifo at Wembley today. This game simply means a lot, lot more to us.”
LS: “It’s an easy trope to point to the empty seats at the Etihad. Most match-going City fans I know aren’t disillusioned with the footballing project, but they are when it comes to the club’s approach to ticketing; fan protests at the Etihad last month ultimately led to a price freeze. Also bear in mind this will be our 31st trip to Wembley since 2011. It’s a very expensive day out!”
Even some of the City fans, it seems, would not be entirely averse to a Palace victory:
“As a Man City fan I do not really mind if Crystal Palace win,” emails John Rudd. “It’s getting increasingly harder to celebrate victory as a Cityzen. With our ownership and now all these charges. Every victory seems hollow. It’s hard to explain, I love my team and smile when we win but it seems like it could all be taken away very shortly. Now Kevin is on the way out. What does the future hold for our club?”
Question two. Why should neutrals back your club?
LS: “I can’t pretend any neutral will want City to win - maybe just the clubs chasing Conference League qualification. There’s no point in me trying to convince anyone.”
Fair answer, very fair.
CW: “Have to agree … no football fan I’ve spoken to in the buildup wants City to win given their recent history (though I guess I don’t speak to many Brighton or Millwall fans). But it’s no real choice for neutrals: we’ve never won a trophy, and Palace winning this would be a massive boost to the vast majority whose clubs aren’t funded by nation states. It’d mean the world; entering European competition off the back of it would be the cherry on top.”
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First question: How are you feeling about the final?
Llloyd Scragg: “Not too confident to be honest … Our draw against Southampton, who had two clean sheets in 47 games, said it all about our inconsistency. This is a much more dysfunctional, passive team than we’ve seen before under Guardiola. Lately he’s leaned into playing the “uncs” (KDB, Gundo, Bernardo, Kovacic) again, who most fans blamed for the winter struggles - but there has been an improvement. We’re all just a bit nervous about his selections.”
Chris Waters: “For us it’s just huge excitement. We had a couple of recent thrashings, but the way we destroyed both Villa and Spurs has given us hope. We’re obvious underdogs, but we do have match winners; if City go gung-ho there’s a chance. We were millmetres from being 3-0 up at the Etihad in April before we lost our heads. Glasner won’t make that tactical mistake again.”
And for Palace: Chris Waters, 50, @clapham_grand over on X.
First match attended? “Our 3-1 Coca-Cola Cup quarter-final win over Chelsea in 1993. The Selhurst mud played a key part.”
Best match attended: “The poogate play-off semi-final win over Brighton in 2013. Magical.”
Let’s step it up a gear. We’ve had a chat with a Manchester City fan and a Crystal Palace fan to gauge how they are feeling about today’s big match.
Stepping up for City is Lloyd Scragg, 30, who you can find on X @lloyd_scragg or at 9320pod.com.
First match Lloyd attended? “City 2-0 Blackburn at Maine Road in 1999. Richard Edgehill and Jeff Whitley scored for us. Heritage.”
Best match attended? “City 3-2 QPR in 2012. I think that one speaks for itself.”
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In non-FA Cup news, Chelsea are one of a number of teams tracking the Leicester centre-back Ben Nelson. The 21-year-old has spent the season on loan at Oxford United and is highly rated. Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, gave Nelson his debut at Leicester last season.
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Bournemouth's Huijsen signs for Real Madrid
The Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has agreed to join Real Madrid. The Spanish club have activated a £50 million release clause.
The news has been confirmed on Bournemouth’s website.
“AFC Bournemouth can confirm that defender Dean Huijsen will join Real Madrid following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season,” reads the story on the Cherries’ official website.
“The centre-back, who joined the Cherries from Juventus last summer, has been instrumental in the club’s record-breaking campaign, which has seen Andoni Iraola’s side already break their highest points tally in the Premier League.”
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Here’s a good shot of Eberechi Eze, by the Guardian’s Tom Jenkins, during Palace’s fifth-round win against Millwall on 1 March.
That day, of course, was dominated by the early challenge by Liam Roberts, Millwall’s goalkeeper, on Jean-Philippe Mateta. The goalie was shown a red card and Mateta later required multiple stitches to a wound on his ear after one of the most reckless and dangerous tackles football has seen.
Mateta required lengthy treatment before being carried off on a stretcher.
Millwall competed well with 10 men, and Wes Harding scored on the stroke of half time to make it 2-1. But Eddie Nketiah (left) scored Palace’s third goal in a 3-1 win.
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You can email any thoughts to our matchday live email address.
You can also comment below the line.
Don’t forget: Barney Ronay will be answering your questions this afternoon. Please send in any questions for Barney via the matchday live email or in the comments.
If you have not read Jonathan Liew’s interview with Will Hughes yet, don’t miss it. There is some fascinating stuff in there. For example:
“On the ball, frightening,” Hughes says of Adam Wharton. “Levels above what I am. Some of the things he does – how he’s seen that? There’s no stats for some of the stuff he does: breaking up play, passing through the lines …
“I’ve always had that grit,” he says. “It’s gone out of the game a bit now, it feels like every tackle now is a potential booking. But that’s on players as well, making a meal out of every single foul.
“I hate VAR, I absolutely hate it,” he says. “I just think it’s ridiculous when an official has to look at it 10 times. There’s obviously a line of endangering the opponent, but I think 90% of them [red-card tackles] are subjective.”
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Also last month, the Belgian maestro said he was surprised not to be offered a new deal by Manchester City:
Kevin De Bruyne. Helluva player, isn’t he? Wasn’t he?
Last month, Jonathan Liew wrote about his impending departure from Manchester City, and why it marks the end of era:
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Everton’s new home at Bramley-Moore dock will be known as Hill Dickinson Stadium, the club has announced, after a naming rights deal with the commercial law firm.
Everton have been seeking a naming rights partner for their £800m stadium for some time and had hoped to attract a blue-chip company to their impressive development on the banks of the Mersey. They have signed a long-term deal with Hill Dickinson, which was founded in Liverpool in 1810 and has expanded into Europe and Asia in recent years.
Brian Glanville dies aged 93
Brian Glanville, whose insightful football writing had a profound influence on generations of reporters and readers alike, has died aged 93.
A novelist and respected columnist, Glanville was a prolific commentator on his beloved game, a passionate chronicler of Italian football and author of some of football’s most influential books.
FA Cup glory v Champions League qualification. What will Pep be thinking?
Plus some pure FA Cup love:
“They are not really good at anything,” said the Sky pundit Roy Keane of Manchester United after their 1-0 defeat by Chelsea last night. “This idea they can do something this summer … The days of everyone wanting to go to Man United, those days are gone.
“Even the fans here tonight: I don’t think they’re angry anymore. There’s just an acceptance.”
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Controversial “dynamic pricing” has arrived in English football, the Guardian can reveal, after a company backed by sports stars including the England men’s football captain, Harry Kane, charged more than £3,000 for two seats at the FA Cup final.
Seat Unique, which sells VIP hospitality packages for events, has won endorsements and even financial backing from professional athletes and sports teams, promising to deliver “exceptional, authentic experiences to fans”.
But the London-based company has been accused of acting “like a ticket tout” after it slashed the price of Cup final hospitality tickets shortly after a customer had bought a pair to cheer up her football-mad nephew.
Salako, Martyn, Bright, Pardew … they all got stuck in and sang the special Crystal Palace FA Cup Final version of “Glad All Over” back in 1990:
Hello from bucolic Hilton Park Services and a first pitstop halfway to Wembers from Cheshire. So far, on the 1hr 25min ride, only one Manchester City flag streaming from the back window of a car has been spotted.
Having read Ed Aaron’s’ excellent piece on Oliver Glasner and how smart the Palace No 1 is, I would not be surprised if they do a number on City.
But Erling Haaland is back following a lay off and a fresh The Phenomenon is a bullocking, barnstorming nightmare for defences. And he is yet to score for City in a major final …
Crystal Palace supporters will be hoping it’s not a bad omen. Oliver Glasner usually enjoys a post-press conference pastry and even mentioned his penchant for the danishes on display at the club’s training ground in Beckenham on Friday as he prepared to face Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Asked whether he was feeling nervous about the game, the Austrian said his mind was on his stomach. “No, I’m looking forward to my pastry,” he said. “I’ve been answering so many questions.”
Glasner was reassured that two remained, and then revealed his intention to wear a suit for the buildup at Wembley before changing into the lucky black jumper he has worn for the past five matches since Palace were thrashed 5-0 by Newcastle last month. They have remained unbeaten in all five, including the semi-final win over Aston Villa at Wembley.
“After winning a trophy I change my outfit so I hope that it’s the last game for the jumper,” said Glasner, who led Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League in 2022.
There was panic among the Palace staff as the press conference finished and they realised there were no pastries left. One staff member even tried to find a quick replacement, but it was too late. Nobody admitted to taking the last one despite Glasner’s attempts to find the culprit. “I will have one later,” he said. Ed Aarons
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Only two weeks to go. That’s the mantra. Two more weeks to endure the familiar trauma of logging on to the fantasy football app, picking a team, celebrating the wise decisions that have led you to create an unbeatable unit, watching the weekend’s football disabuse you of this notion, then repeating the whole thing again.
It’s supposed to be a game, but Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is more like a lifestyle. Or a second job. Or even exactly like being a professional footballer: the focus, determination and relentless commitment should really be rewarded with a weekly salary, preferably in the five figures. But no, instead we have to make do with a brief appearance of a green arrow next to our team name or, more likely, a red one.
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As for Wharton, I was at the recent Palace v Forest Premier League encounter, and his reading of the game and accuracy/speed of pass was extremely impressive. Certainly it would have been much harder to envisage a Palace win had that ankle knock kept him out of the final.
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The measure of Manchester City’s class is that they have a chance of claiming the FA Cup in Saturday’s Wembley showpiece despite a troubled campaign featuring serial injury, an insipid title defence, Champions League playoff-stage elimination by Real Madrid and the mid-season departure of the captain, Kyle Walker, on loan.
Oliver Glasner’s in-form Crystal Palace, who have lost two of their past 14 games, are in their way but Pep Guardiola’s garlanded team are favourites; the wounded, deposed champions intent on not ending a season empty-handed for the first time since his opening 2016-17 term.
“The nerves really ramped up yesterday,” writes Palace fan Simon Livingstone. “Hearing the news that Wharton is fit is a big relief and having him in the team gives us a fighting chance.
“We need to take our chances, have some luck, and defend well. This Palace team is the best we’ve had since the 90s, or better! Getting a ticket was tough, but I’m glad I’m going, it’s going to be a great day. Come on Palace!”
Chat over. Will Hughes strolls across the car park to get some photographs taken. As it happens, the man emerging from the gym at that very moment is the Crystal Palace midfield partner whose praises Hughes has just been lavishly exalting.
“Just added about £20m to your fee in that interview,” Hughes shouts at Adam Wharton as they pass. “You can have half,” Wharton retorts. All delivered with a knowing smile, for this is the Palace of Oliver Glasner, where – as Hughes puts it – “there’s egos, but good egos”. No arrogance, none of the blame culture he sees elsewhere. “You watch other teams and hands are in the air, there’s moaning,” he says. “But I honestly don’t see any of that here.”
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Sad news from the world of sports journalism: Brian Glanville, the legendary football writer, has died at the age of 93. Sincere condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues.
“I am a City fan, going to support my team today,” writes Will. “However I now live in Croydon and have many Palace supporting friends.
“This sees me having a huge soft spot for Palace and any other opponent I would be rooting for them to win. I have a sneaking feeling they will.
“Their marvellous front three scare me to death, especially Eze, who I think is better than any City attacker on current form. I’d love him at City.”
Selected comments from below the line.
Kai Havertz, it seems, has been “destroying metrics” in the Arsenal gym.
Jacob Steinberg reports on the forward’s rehabilitation from a hamstring injury:
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Stephen Yoxall has been in touch: “Annual moan that the BBC coverage doesn’t start at 10am and last all day like it did in my day.”
I hear you Stephen. Here are some happy Hammers in 1980 just for good measure. (They beat Arsenal 1-0 that year with Trevor Brooking scoring the only goal in the final.)
And here’s a still from the BBC coverage in 1988, featuring the late Princess Diana handing the trophy to Wimbledon’s Dave Beasant.
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Two matches took place in His Majesty’s Premier League last night.
First, Aston Villa beat Tottenham in what it appears may have been Emiliano Martínez’s final match at Villa Park. Ben Fisher was there:
Kicking off a little later, Chelsea and Manchester United played out a largely dreary affair at Stamford Bridge: Marc Cucurella’s second-half header proved the difference in what may be a crucial result in the Blues’ attempt to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Ben Bloom was on the scene:
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Comments are open so please bombard me with your thoughts, including questions for Barney Ronay.
Alternatively you can email our matchday live address.
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Pep Guardiola has taken a swipe at the Premier League for scheduling Manchester City’s penultimate fixture of the season, against Bournemouth on Tuesday, 72 hours after today’s FA Cup final meeting with Crystal Palace.
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Preamble
The FA Cup is back.
True, it never went away, but it just feels bigger this season. The reasons for that may be numerous and we need not be concerned with them now. All that matters is that in several hours Crystal Palace and Manchester City will stride on to the Wembley turf to contest one of the more eagerly-awaited finals of recent years.
This blog, your one-stop shop for all the buildup, will run until 4pm, otherwise known as half an hour before kick-off. We’ve got plenty to get through including a Q and A with Barney Ronay at Wembley. (Post your questions for Barney in the comments at your leisure, and he’ll be here to answer them at around 2.30pm.)
There are also league games in Scotland and Germany that we’ll be keeping on top of, bringing you the big moments, as well as the League Two playoff semi-final between AFC Wimbledon and Notts County (12.30pm KO BST).
Team news, all the buildup and completely over-the-top hype will be coming thick and fast so sit back, relax, and let the football commence.
Men’s FA Cup final kick-off time: 4.30pm BST
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