Manchester City

We asked for your thoughts after Manchester City fell to a shock defeat against Crystal Palace to miss out on claiming their eighth FA Cup at Wembley.

Here are some of your comments on the defeat:

Usama: An absolutely dreadful performance. No player stood up to the occasion, if anything they caved in. Palace are fully deserving of the trophy, even if Henderson should have been sent off. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if we fail to qualify for the Champions League. City's dynasty is well and truly over. The club has a lot of thinking to do in these next few months, as has Pep. Just changing personnel won't get us back to the top.

Martyn: Our game plan has been learned by all. Once the innovators, we are now sadly easy to read. The build-up play is painfully obvious and slow, probably time for a reinvention. Maybe we should do more attacking, rather than the 'watching paint dry' passing football I've watched this season.

Lewis: The manager has been wonderful but he's now out of ideas, imagination and tactics. Foden on the right-wing? Grealish never on the pitch? Crosses only from the byline with the Premier League's best at heading the ball in the box? I doubt if we will make the Champions League.

Alan: We are rebuilding, it will take time. Well played, the Eagles.

Lacey: Honestly embarrassing, especially considering Man City have been to three finals in the last three years. For Crystal Palace to beat us by just one goal is unacceptable. Our season hasn't been what it should've been. There is a very high standard set and it feels wrong that we're not winning this tournament against a team that we should've beaten. To see a ladder team beat a team that has so much more potential is an embarrassment.

Simon: Disappointing - too predictable, not enough creativity and not enough pace. What's the point of having a prolific centre forward and not giving him the opportunity to do what he does best?

Tony: Completely gutless. A spineless performance from a team of misfits. Haaland needs to keep his opinions to himself and get on with the job he is paid to do.

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Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been discussing Erling Haaland not taking Manchester City's penalty in their FA Cup final defeat on BBC One: "Erling Haaland is a world class forward but when we are talking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there is no way they are giving that ball away.

"That is what separates them two players from Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe and all these other players.

"They are selfish and they want to score every game.

"When Haaland misses chances, I think you can see that it gets to him and that it does affect him.

"Maybe the thought of taking a penalty at Wembley might have been too much for him. You never know, he is a human being."

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Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva reacts to FA Cup final defeat on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was very disappointing for us.

"We played a tough team, we knew that before the game. They defend with a very low block and are very patient in the way they defend to prepare the counter.

"We missed an extra bit of quality in the final third to finish our actions. We had a penalty and three or four chances but they deserved it today. Well done to Crystal Palace."

On whether Dean Henderson should have been sent off: "I haven't watched it to be honest. I heard that he touched the ball with his hand but I would need to watch it to give my opinion."

On why Erling Haaland didn't take the penalty: "I don't know. Normally Erling [Haaland] is the taker but they decided Omar [Marmoush] take it. I wasn't in the decision so I'm not sure.

"Penalty misses can happen. That wasn't the main issue - of course it was important but we had other opportunities."

On Kevin de Bruyne after playing his last major final for Manchester City: "It was sad we couldn't win it for him. We wanted to give him this, he deserves it so it's a bit sad. I can't imagine achieving all this success without him.

"He is a good friend of mine, I'm sad to see him go. I hoped and wished he would stay longer but this is life. I wish him all the best."

Man City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC One after defeat in the FA Cup final: "We didn't score so congratulations to Crystal Palace for the victory - we did everything.

"Today, we were more aggressive. If you're not going to score goals, you're not going to win."

On the VAR decision to not send Dean Henderson off: "Ask the referee."

On clashing with Dean Henderson post match: "No, nothing."

On Erling Haaland giving Omar Marmoush the penalty: "I don't know, I didn't speak to them. They made a decision. They decide."

On Man City's performance: "They performed really well, much better than last season against Manchester United. Football sometimes is like this. At the end with Claudio Echeverri, we created a chance.

"We controlled really good in transitions.

"Yes, unfortunately we couldn't win, but congratulations Crystal Palace."

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace have won their first-ever major trophy. They are the first English club to win their first major title since Wigan Athletic in the 2012-13 FA Cup, who also beat Manchester City in the final that year.

The Eagles are the 45th side to win the FA Cup and first team to win it for the first time since Leicester City in 2021.

Daniel Munoz has been directly involved in 13 goals in all competitions for Crystal Palace this season. His six goals and seven assists are the joint-most of any Premier League defender in 2024-25 (Pedro Porro also has 13 direct involvements).

Manchester City have now lost the FA Cup final two years in a row. It is the seventh time they have finished as runners up in the competition, with only Manchester United (9), Chelsea (8) and Everton (8) doing so more times.

Pep Guardiola's side have lost 16 games in all competitions this season - their most in a single campaign since 2008-09 (23 games).

Manchester City enjoyed 76.7% possession in this match, the most on record (from 2014) in an FA Cup final. In fact, defender Ruben Dias completed more passes himself (129) than Crystal Palace did as an entire team (126).

This win qualifies Crystal Palace for next season's Europa League and it is set to be their first-ever appearance in a major European competition.

Were you at Wembley or following the FA Cup final from elsewhere?

Crystal Palace fans, try to sum up how you are feeling?

What's your take Manchester City fans?

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Former Premier League striker Wayne Rooney commenting on Dean Henderson's use of his hand outside the area in the first half: "It is a red card - 100% a red card.

"Erling Haaland is about to knock it around him and Dean Henderson sweeps the ball away.

"It is a red card - how can they get this wrong?"

Gary Lineker explained: "This is what VAR have said -'The direction in which Erling Haaland was going made it possible, but not an obvious goal scoring opportunity'."

Rooney replied: "Just get rid of VAR. They have made a mistake and now they are trying to cover up. It is a red card and everyone can see it's a red card. To come out with all this rubbish."

Read more on the incident and use our poll on the decision

Manchester City fans, we asked you to show us how you're preparing for the club's third-consecutive FA Cup final at Wembley.

It could be another special day in the capital and plenty of you seem ready to see the club claim its eighth FA Cup.

So what's the overwhelming feeling? Nerves, excitement or anticipation?

Here are some of your photos:

It is not long now until Manchester City face Crystal Palace in the 2025 FA Cup final at Wembley.

To get you in the mood, here are the goals that secured City's spot in the final...

Follow the FA Cup final across BBC Sport, with live coverage on BBC One, Radio 5 Live, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

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The big day is edging nearer and the nerves are rising.

But who will come out on top when Crystal Palace take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday?

We put some questions to our fan contributors for each team to see how they are feeling before the big game...

Jay Crame
Fan writer

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Here is what our Crystal Palace supporter had to say on questions put to them before the FA Cup final with Manchester City...

How confident are you that Palace can win the trophy and what would it mean?

Confidence is not a word in the Palace fan vocabulary so we will not be using that term. I think I speak for most fans when I say the nerves are starting to jangle already! This will be our third shot at winning the FA Cup so we are very much hoping that 'lady luck' will be looking down on us this time around.

For Palace to win the FA Cup would mean everything. To have come close on two occasions really does hurt. When you talk to Wigan and Portsmouth fans, to have your name on that famous old trophy means absolutely everything, no matter how the footballing gods have treated them since.

Who will be your game-changer?

The obvious answer is Eberechi Eze as he is in red-hot form heading into the final, and while he gets all the headlines, this Palace side have a number of players that could be game-changers, including Ismaila Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Daniel Munoz.

But, I have not mentioned the back-line and they will be key as they have been great this season - even more so since Chris Richards returned to the starting line-up.

Who or what concerns you most about City?

It is Manchester City - outgoing Premier League champions, former Champions League winners who head into the final off the back of their worst season in some time, their star striker is back fit, and they are managed by Pep Guardiola. There is plenty there to concern us, especially as this is their last chance of silverware this campaign.

Palace do have the ammunition to beat this City side and showed some of that in the game at the Etihad a few weeks back, but more than that, the Eagles have a very astute manager. Oliver Glasner is arguably the best manager that has ever taken charge of the club and gives us the best chance of getting a victory.

Score prediction?

Do we have to? OK, so let's be bold here and go for a 2-1 win for Palace. London will literally be painted red and blue!

Find more from Jay Crame at The Eagles Beak, external

Our Manchester City fan contributor was asked three questions before the FA Cup final:

• How confident are you that City can win the trophy and what would it mean?

• Who will be your game-changer?

• Who or what concerns you most about Crystal Palace?

This is what Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany, external had to say...

Saturday's FA Cup final will see Manchester City take on Crystal Palace at Wembley.

But should the semi-finals of the competition still be played at Wembley?

Manchester City fan Amos and Crystal Palace fan Dan give us their thoughts on the latest edition of The Football News Show.

Catch the full episode here

Listen to full match commentary of Crystal Palace vs Manchester City on BBC Radio 5 live from 15:30 BST on Saturday

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Manchester City are around 24 hours away from taking part in their third-consecutive FA Cup final at Wembley.

Crystal Palace are the only team standing in the way of City getting their hands on their eighth FA cup title.

Whether you are one of the lucky travelling fans or you have other plans for what could be a very special day, we want to hear from you.

Let us know how you're preparing for a big day, how the nerves are holding up, or if you're meeting up with friends already.

Send in your pictures or comments here

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Saturday's FA Cup final could provide the dream send-off for Manchester City captain Kevin de Bruyne, who is set to leave the club at the end of the season.

Victory over Crystal Palace at Wembley will give City some satisfaction in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

I asked City boss Pep Guardiola about the threats that the Eagles players will provide and he mentioned Eberechi Eze's "quality", Ismaila Sarr's "pace" and how "strong" Jean-Philippe Mateta is.

But one name of interest stood out.

Guardiola said: "[Adam] Wharton is a really good holding midfielder who links well inside."

Wharton is only 21 and his performances for Palace have led to a call-up into the England national team. He could form the platform for the Three Lions in the middle of the park for years to come.

With De Bruyne departing and 34-year-old Ilkay Gundogan not hitting the heights of his first spell, City are desperately in need of a midfield rebuild.

Along with the likes of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz and AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders, Wharton has been linked with a move to City in the summer.

Guardiola has clearly spotted the potential of the player and after being passed fit for the showpiece, Saturday may well be an opportunity for a City audition for Wharton.

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Defender Ruben Dias has been reflecting on a "frustrating" season that he says Manchester City can use as "gasoline" before they take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final this Saturday.

For only the second time in eight years, City have failed to win the Premier League title as they currently sit fourth in the table, but Dias is confident they can take away the positives.

"The way you feel a loss, it hurts, it's not a nice feeling," he told BBC Radio Manchester. "But they push you like anything else pushes you, and I take that into a good place because these will give us gasoline.

"It's frustrating but at the same time even in the most frustrating times we need to be able to look back and look at how demanding it is mentally to win four [Premier League titles] in a row, there's a reason why no one has done it before."

The 28-year-old has suffered multiple injuries this season, missing 15 games in all competitions, but he is trying to use the journey as a way to move forward.

"I've always really celebrated all of the wins I've had in my career, in my life personally, work-wise," he added.

"But I've always found a good comfort in the progression in all of the losses because they make you stronger, they make you better."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup final against Crystal Palace (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He said the injury situation "is the same as last week" so no injured players are expected to recover for the final.

• He said "it's an honour and a privilege" to be in a third consecutive FA Cup final and "it is massively important" to them to win the competition.

• Rodri "is much, much better," with Guardiola adding: "I am waiting for the doctors. When they tell me he is ready he is going to start. We don't want to take a risk and take a step back."

• On opponents Palace: "It is a fantastic team. They have had a really good second part of the season. They have had more than a year with Oliver [Glasner] working with the same players."

• He said Palace "are a threat because they have quality" in attack. Guardiola added: [Jean-Philippe] Mateta is strong and the quality in [Eberechi] Eze is obvious, and of course the pace from [Ismaila] Sarr. They are well structured defensively and their set pieces is one of the best in the Premier League."

• On whether a signing like Florian Wirtz would be the perfect start to the club's recruitment: "This is not the time to talk about that. I have 24 exceptional players. I am not going to talk one second about the future."

Listen to live commentary of Saturday's FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City on BBC Radio 5 Live

Follow all of Friday's Premier League and FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

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It's a monumental four days in Manchester City's season, one in which they have fallen below their high standards.

Pep Guardiola's side face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday, their only hope of collecting a major trophy this season. The Spanish boss, though, said they are going for their "second" piece of silverware after winning the Community Shield in August.

Then on Tuesday, City host Bournemouth in the race for the top five, knowing they will play in the Champions League next season if Aston Villa fail to beat Tottenham tonight then defeating the Cherries next week.

Guardiola has already said the season has not been good enough, but will he change his mind with a good end to the campaign?

And what of Erling Haaland's comments to BBC Sport this week saying the season has been "horrific" and "boring"?

We'll find out when he faces the cameras this afternoon.