2025 FA Cup Final thread

[Teddy Eagle]

Goodness gracious me !

What a momentous occasion and result, a proud moment in the history of Crystal Palace FC.
I never thought I would see the day that we lifted the FA Cup and my outpouring of joy and elation at the final whistle will live long in the memory.I was glowing with happiness, my ageing face wreathed in merriment and I was beaming akin to a TV game show dollybird.
I am so proud of the team and Oliver Glasner has elevated us to another level.

I was lubricating my larynx into the early hours and rest assured there was a rigid non-observance of teetotalism ! Copious quantities of intoxicating liquid were consumed with glee and I am feeling the effects as I type! Pass the 'Smelling salts' Petunia!
What a marvellous day ! 👍 👍

Hope the Willo levels of crapulence are within acceptable boundaries.

 

[Boydie]

Hopefully this win will also stop Man City stealing our "Glad All Over" now!

I can't imagine Pep wanting a reminder of this loss every week! 🤣🤣

#GiveUsOurSongBack!

 

[PatrickA]

Apologies for introducing a gripe, but there's always a thorn amongst the roses.
VAR.

Now taking my Palace glasses off for a minute , Henderson should have gone.
He handled outside the area and yet the VAR panel concocted a reason to keep him on.
Don't get me wrong- I was delighted.
But clearly it was nonsense.

Furthermore, from the TV replay it was clear that Mitchell got a touch of the ball for the penalty that was awarded.
It was debatable and I preferred the days when the benefit of the doubt was given to the defender.
The professionals watching didn't see it as a clearcut penalty.

I dislike VAR with a passion ( it also killed the excitement of the Munoz disallowed goal).
I accept that mistakes were made pre VAR, but they continue to made with it's introduction.
What's the point if it kills the passion and experience for very little, if any, benefit?

 

[Badger11]

Apologies for introducing a gripe, but there's always a thorn amongst the roses.
VAR.

Now taking my Palace glasses off for a minute , Henderson should have gone.
He handled outside the area and yet the VAR panel concocted a reason to keep him on.
Don't get me wrong- I was delighted.
But clearly it was nonsense.

Furthermore, from the TV replay it was clear that Mitchell got a touch of the ball for the penalty that was awarded.
It was debatable and I preferred the days when the benefit of the doubt was given to the defender.
The professionals watching didn't see it as a clearcut penalty.

I dislike VAR with a passion ( it also killed the excitement of the Munoz disallowed goal).
I accept that mistakes were made pre VAR, but they continue to made with it's introduction.
What's the point if it kills the passion and experience for very little, if any, benefit?

I found this on the Blue Moon website. Not a popular opinion over there but makes sense.

""Rooney doesn't understand VAR. The referee was unsighted so didn't see the play, the linesman was behind the play so couldn't see if the handling was in the box or not, so couldn't advise or overule the ref, so no foul was given on field. VAR can ONLY overrule the on-field decision if EITHER it was a penalty, OR it was a red card offense - either a serious foul or denial of an obvious goal opportunity by the last defender. We all agree it was outside the box, so VAR can't interfere on that basis as it therefore couldn't be a penalty. Erling hadn't actually touched the ball before Dean got a hand to it, so it clearly wasn't in his control, so it fails on the denial of a goal opportunity point as well. VAR therefore could not have interfered. Yes, you can argue that Erling probably would have got the ball under control if Dean didn't push it aside, but that's not the test: did he have the ball under control at that moment? No, clearly not.""

 

[SnapperKain]

I'm still in a state of disbelief, in fact reading these comments are the only thing that has convinced me it wasn't some kind of fever dream!

We've won the FA Cup!!!

What am amazing day and was lucky enough to be at Wembley with my two boys and brother. Atmosphere was incredible (forgot the city fans were there and I was sitting right next to them) and I'm still wiping away the tears thinking about it all!

Finally we've won the bloody thing!

 

[Foxy82]

Just watched MOTD and the collage of our FA cup history at the end of the programme to the soundtrack ‘hold my hand’ - if you managed to hold it together yesterday, then I will guarantee this will definitely crack you.

I've recorded it on my phone, it will leave iplayer in a few weeks, never to be shown again on TV.

 

[Willo]

Hope the Willo levels of crapulence are within acceptable boundaries.

I am certainly NOT 'Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed' this morning.
Some kind soul suggested I resort to raw egg and vinegar. 🙁 👎

 

[georgenorman]

I found this on the Blue Moon website. Not a popular opinion over there but makes sense.

""Rooney doesn't understand VAR. The referee was unsighted so didn't see the play, the linesman was behind the play so couldn't see if the handling was in the box or not, so couldn't advise or overule the ref, so no foul was given on field. VAR can ONLY overrule the on-field decision if EITHER it was a penalty, OR it was a red card offense - either a serious foul or denial of an obvious goal opportunity by the last defender. We all agree it was outside the box, so VAR can't interfere on that basis as it therefore couldn't be a penalty. Erling hadn't actually touched the ball before Dean got a hand to it, so it clearly wasn't in his control, so it fails on the denial of a goal opportunity point as well. VAR therefore could not have interfered. Yes, you can argue that Erling probably would have got the ball under control if Dean didn't push it aside, but that's not the test: did he have the ball under control at that moment? No, clearly not.""

Can you be my defence lawyer if I ever end up in court?

 

[mileend]

I found this on the Blue Moon website. Not a popular opinion over there but makes sense.

""Rooney doesn't understand VAR. The referee was unsighted so didn't see the play, the linesman was behind the play so couldn't see if the handling was in the box or not, so couldn't advise or overule the ref, so no foul was given on field. VAR can ONLY overrule the on-field decision if EITHER it was a penalty, OR it was a red card offense - either a serious foul or denial of an obvious goal opportunity by the last defender. We all agree it was outside the box, so VAR can't interfere on that basis as it therefore couldn't be a penalty. Erling hadn't actually touched the ball before Dean got a hand to it, so it clearly wasn't in his control, so it fails on the denial of a goal opportunity point as well. VAR therefore could not have interfered. Yes, you can argue that Erling probably would have got the ball under control if Dean didn't push it aside, but that's not the test: did he have the ball under control at that moment? No, clearly not.""

The thing about VAR is that it is still often coming down to subjective decisions. Just not by the referee on the pitch. In this case the Aussie VAR ref didn't consider it an obvious goal opportunity and that is what matters. Another person could have come to a different decision.

Though they took a long time about it so perhaps there was a group discussion going on - perhaps running through the options based on the excellent assessment you posted above and on that basis it was never going to be a red.

 

[Willo]

Apologies for introducing a gripe, but there's always a thorn amongst the roses.
VAR.

Now taking my Palace glasses off for a minute , Henderson should have gone.
He handled outside the area and yet the VAR panel concocted a reason to keep him on.
Don't get me wrong- I was delighted.
But clearly it was nonsense.

Furthermore, from the TV replay it was clear that Mitchell got a touch of the ball for the penalty that was awarded.
It was debatable and I preferred the days when the benefit of the doubt was given to the defender.
The professionals watching didn't see it as a clearcut penalty.

I dislike VAR with a passion ( it also killed the excitement of the Munoz disallowed goal).
I accept that mistakes were made pre VAR, but they continue to made with it's introduction.
What's the point if it kills the passion and experience for very little, if any, benefit?

I have not witnessed any TV coverage thus far but intend to do so.
Apropos the Munoz 'Goal', I am advised that his shot ricocheted off Sarr (Who was in an offside position) wrong-footing Ortega and when Munoz forced the ball home from a tight angle it was rightly disallowed.

 

[mileend]

I've recorded it on my phone, it will leave iplayer in a few weeks, never to be shown again on TV.

I'd seen it on the iplayer so I've hopefully recorded this morning repeats of the highlights onto a hard disk which has been plugged in unused on our tv for years. How to get it from there and back online is a problem for another day.

 

[Boydie]

I found this on the Blue Moon website. Not a popular opinion over there but makes sense.

""Rooney doesn't understand VAR. The referee was unsighted so didn't see the play, the linesman was behind the play so couldn't see if the handling was in the box or not, so couldn't advise or overule the ref, so no foul was given on field. VAR can ONLY overrule the on-field decision if EITHER it was a penalty, OR it was a red card offense - either a serious foul or denial of an obvious goal opportunity by the last defender. We all agree it was outside the box, so VAR can't interfere on that basis as it therefore couldn't be a penalty. Erling hadn't actually touched the ball before Dean got a hand to it, so it clearly wasn't in his control, so it fails on the denial of a goal opportunity point as well. VAR therefore could not have interfered. Yes, you can argue that Erling probably would have got the ball under control if Dean didn't push it aside, but that's not the test: did he have the ball under control at that moment? No, clearly not.""

I agree it wasn't a red card - but I do think Haarland got the touch of the ball first - but, as you say, definitely didn't have the ball under control to round the keeper, was going away from goal - and we had covering defenders - so not a red card for me for all of the reasons you state

It was a good win, fair and square (especially as I I think Mitchell touched the ball and the City player fell before contact - so my VAR review decision would have been simulation by the City player!)

 

[Emcee]

I confess I'm a lifelong Brentford fan 'intruder' - but professing total pride in the fact that Palace have done it for the 'little' clubs in the Premier League ... and, just as importantly, for REAL footie fans in LONDON. Congratulations fellas... well deserved!!!

 

[Willo]

I confess I'm a lifelong Brentford fan 'intruder' - but professing total pride in the fact that Palace have done it for the 'little' clubs in the Premier League ... and, just as importantly, for REAL footie fans in LONDON. Congratulations fellas... well deserved!!!

This is very kind of you.
Thank you for such generous sentiments.
👍

 

[cryrst]

Had forgotten about the CHARITY SHIELD ! Palace at Wembley v Pool - opening the new season !

 

[silvertop]

And for those out there who genuinely predicted at the start of the season that our last game would be a trial run for the Community Shield - well done you!

 

[mase]

City fan in peace.

Congrats on the win - deserved and for me personally it was great to see some of your old boys crying at the end. I still remember that feeling in 2011 seeing us beat Stoke and crying at Wembley, after thinking we'd never win anything major in my lift time.

What your manager has done this season is brilliant. Built a solid team and I'm hoping you can keep the likes of Eze and push on next season.

Enjoy and all the best for the remaining games of the season.

 

[PatrickA]

Can you be my defence lawyer if I ever end up in court?

Just reinforces the view that VAR is a nonsense.
If the officials miss an offside or a foul when a player is through on goal then VAR intervenes - even when it's stll debatable.

Henderson clearly diverted the ball from Haaland and if he hadn't touched it Haaland may have been able to lob him or sidestep him.
Every official and professional I have heard discussing it acknowkedges that it was wrong.

Like I say, I was delighted but it seems when and how VAR is used and it's interpretation is at the very least questionable.
I don't know one fan who likes it, and at the end of the day the game is supposed to there for the fans.
The TV companies love it with their camera angles, fomenting of controversy and bloated punditry.
It hasn't achieved the objective of taking subjectivity out of the game if that was one of the objectives

 

[silvertop]

Apologies for introducing a gripe, but there's always a thorn amongst the roses.
VAR.

Now taking my Palace glasses off for a minute , Henderson should have gone.
He handled outside the area and yet the VAR panel concocted a reason to keep him on.
Don't get me wrong- I was delighted.
But clearly it was nonsense.

Furthermore, from the TV replay it was clear that Mitchell got a touch of the ball for the penalty that was awarded.
It was debatable and I preferred the days when the benefit of the doubt was given to the defender.
The professionals watching didn't see it as a clearcut penalty.

I dislike VAR with a passion ( it also killed the excitement of the Munoz disallowed goal).
I accept that mistakes were made pre VAR, but they continue to made with it's introduction.
What's the point if it kills the passion and experience for very little, if any, benefit?

Munoz goal correctly chalked off.

The other 2 decisions I agree. However 2 things.

1. All the pundits seemed pleased Deano wasn't sent off.
2. Had he been the outcome would have been the same. We could have defended that City team all day with 9 men let alone 10.

 

[mrwanderingtexan]

What a day and one we can eclipse.
Why would any player in that team want to leave the best club in the world?
Can we buy back Michael Olise please Mr Parrish?
Deano must be the undisputed Englands number one after that performance.

I said this to my son yesterday. Henderson just bumped Pickford. And let’s keep the cap for all matches now.