Crystal Palace fans in ecstasy after 'unbelievable' FA Cup win

Supporters of Crystal Palace celebrate winning the FA Cup Final in Wembley Stadium. Image source, EPA
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Fans celebrated the "unbelievable" win against Manchester City on Saturday

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Crystal Palace fans celebrated late into the night following the club's historic FA Cup win over Manchester City on Saturday.

The south London side won 1-0, marking the club's first major trophy in its history.

Eberechi Eze's 16th minute goal secured the victory, with scenes of ecstasy breaking out among fans across the capital and beyond when the full-time whistle was blown.

"It's an amazing day," one fan who was at Wembley told BBC London. "I've supported Palace for 46 years and I don't know if I ever thought I'd see this.

"Genuinely the best day of my sporting life."

"Unbelievable," another added. "I was here 35 years ago for the cup final [defeat by Manchester United]. After winning it now - unbelievable - a really emotional day."

Players of Crystal Palace celebrate with the trophy after winning the FA Cup Final.Image source, EPA
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The FA Cup win marks the first major trophy won by the club

A man in glasses and a Crystal Palace scarf and hat smiles at the camera.
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"The best day of my sporting life," one Palace fan told BBC London

A man with two young boys cheers into the camera.Image source, Getty Images
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Families in the stands celebrated an FA Cup win they had been waiting years for

Crystal Palace cheer as they watch the FA Cup Final on a TV screen inside a pub.Image source, Reuters
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There was jubilation among Palace supporters who watched the match in south London pubs

While City dominated possession, Oliver Glasner's side kept the seven-time winners out, with keeper Dean Henderson saving from Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku in the first half, then denying Claudio Echeverri after the break.

As the club lifted their first major trophy in their 120-year professional history, there were tears of joy in the stands.

"I absolutely can't believe it. It's incredible, once in a lifetime," a fan in the crowd said.

"When we got our chance to attack, we made it," added another.

"I can't believe that we just won that - absolutely incredible."

A man in a fancy dress Eagle costumeImage source, Reuters
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The Eagles had lost to Manchester United in both the previous FA Cup finals they had reached

A Crystal Palace fan in a club t-shirt smiles at the camera
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Another fan told BBC London he couldn't even speak after watching the club win

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Drinks go airborne in Boxpark as Palace fans celebrate FA Cup victory

Outside of the stadium, fans following the match on TV and radio went wild as victory was confirmed.

At Croydon's Boxpark, supporters who were watching the game on the big screen launched their drinks into the air when the referee blew the final whistle.

"That was epic. I love this team, I love this town," one supporter, who was from Croydon, said.

"We cried. But hey, I'm 65. If I cry, I cry."

Another added: "Tears that I didn't know I had came out."

"If we never win another match again, I don't care now. I'm so happy," a third said.

"We don't do this, we don't win trophies. This is surreal. Up the Palace," another said.

Fans in the stadium holding beers. One wears a superhero costumeImage source, Getty Images
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Many supporters dressed up for the occasion

Fans look at the FA Cup in the stadium. Image source, Getty Images
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Tears of joy were seen in the stands as the cup became Crystal Palace's

Following the match a video of Palace fan Stuart Shave hugging his son in the stands at Wembley at the end of the game went viral on social media.

"That's what football's all about," he told the BBC. "That's what it should be sharing those moments with your loved ones and your children.

"That will live in me forever. I've experienced three cup finals with Palace, both of them were losses until yesterday.

"Maybe that might be the only time I get to share that with my son. I might be gone the next time it happens, and he might be there on his own. It was just a magical moment."

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Former Eagles midfielder Paul Mortimer told BBC Radio London the win was "huge" for south London.

"The strange thing, the last time a south London goalkeeper saved a penalty, the trophy came south," he said.

"It's a huge shot in the arm for Crystal Palace and for south London. It just shows there's some quality at Crystal Palace.

"There's players there who now know they can win, because they've done it."

Jamie Willard in a red scarf.
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Jamie Willard said he had witnessed the last two failed FA Cup win attempts

Crowd of people wearing Crystal Palace colours celebrating outside The Sparrowhawk pub in Crystal PalaceImage source, Nicky Barry
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Eagles fans were out in force in Crystal Palace's pubs on Saturday night

Fans kiss inside a pub after watching Crystal Palace win the FA CupImage source, Reuters
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Celebrations went on late into the night

A day on from the match and a jubilant atmosphere remains around the Crystal Palace triangle.

Walking the streets in his red-and-blue Palace scarf was lifelong fan Jamie Willard who said he felt lucky to have attended the match.

"It was really really emotional. I've been fortunate that I've been at some of those failed FA Cup attempts beforehand, so you're kind of conditioned - we're really pessimistic, we're not used to winning," he explained.

"Everyone around us was just screaming, hugging each other, lots of families in tears, it was just brilliant."

And that joy is set to continue with the Eagles announcing that their official winners party is set to take place on 26 May.

A young fan with his homemade FA Cup in the crowdImage source, Reuters
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Many fans went into the match believing they were going to win

A shirtless Crystal Palace fan celebrates in the stands after winning the FA Cup. He wears a gold chain around his next with a crucifix and a bucket hat. Image source, Reuters
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The victory was the club's first FA Cup win, having last made it to the final in 2016

'It's brilliant for south London'

Analysis by BBC London Sport's Phil Parry

What Crystal Palace, their manager and their players need to be congratulated on is how seriously they've taken the FA Cup right from the get-go, right from playing the likes of Stockport County early doors.

Oliver Glasner's played a strong team all the way through and he's been nothing shy of declaring he wants to go far, he wants to win it if he possibly can.

That belief that's come from the manager has been extended out on to the pitch.

I think there was a growing belief ahead of yesterday that they could win against Manchester City.

It's brilliant for football that someone different wins the FA cup. It's brilliant for south London and I think it's given the FA Cup a real boost.

Fans cheer in the stands at Wembley StadiumImage source, Reuters
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Mass celebration broke out in the stands as the referee blew the full-time whistle

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