First Newcastle, now Crystal Palace. As I said on BBC One after Saturday's FA Cup final, 2025 is the year of the underdog - and I love it! I know exactly how the Palace fans felt after seeing their side beat Manchester City, because I was there myself only a few weeks ago when Newcastle won the Carabao Cup final. Like them, I had waited my entire life to see my team win a major trophy. For Palace supporters this is their first piece of silverware in their history and, from where I was doing my co-commentary at Wembley, I could tell how much it meant to them. They reminded me of the Newcastle fans with the way they roared their team on from the moment they got into the ground. For most of the game they drowned the City supporters out, and I went through every emotion with them during the 90 minutes, and especially beyond. You could see the agony on their faces when the board went up to show there would be 10 minutes of stoppage time, and when I looked around I saw everyone with their head in their hands - the same way I was when I was waiting for the final whistle in the same stadium against Liverpool. I saw the joy and the tears afterwards too, when the celebrations were just getting started. A lot of them will have sore heads on Sunday and Monday, and I don't blame them one bit. They knew they had a part to play if their team was going to beat City, and they did it - it was a great performance by Palace's players, but their fans were sensational too. This video can not be played 'The Eagles have landed!' - emotional full-time scenes as Palace win FA Cup Now this is their moment and they should absolutely make the most of it - I know I did when it was finally Newcastle's turn to win something. Usually you see a team lift a trophy and you ask 'what next?', but - apart from enjoying European football for the first time next season - the only thing Palace should be looking forward to right now is Tuesday's home game against Wolves, because there is going to be one heck of a party at Selhurst Park. They will have to decide who they sell, or keep, in the summer because they have got some very talented players who other clubs may try to sign, but that's not something they need to think about now. Instead, everyone connected to the club can simply revel in the glory of being FA Cup winners for the first time. It's an amazing achievement. This video can not be played Palace shock Man City to win first major trophy in their history There were so many impressive individual performances from the Palace players, and I thought they were the better team too. They deserved their win, and they certainly gave everything to get it. Whether it was blocking shots, crosses or passes, they all put their bodies on the line. There were so many times where they had two, three or even four men throwing themselves in the way in desperation, doing whatever they could to make a difference, and their determination to stop City was brilliant to watch. Palace seemed to win every tackle, and it was getting the better of all those separate battles that got the team over the line in the end. I don't think you can put Palace's victory down to any one thing, but they had that hard work allied with a gameplan that worked - they were happy to let City have the ball, defend deep and then try to hit them on the break. To win the FA Cup you always need a bit of luck too, and perhaps they got that with the decision not to send off goalkeeper Dean Henderson for his handball outside his box when Erling Haaland ran through in the first half. They got away with one there, because if I am a City player then I want that to be a red card and it probably should have been, but there was no luck about the saves Henderson made, including Omar Marmoush's penalty, and he was another of their heroes. This video can not be played Henderson denies Marmoush from the penalty spot with brilliant save When City look back at what they could have done differently on Saturday, they will think a lot about that penalty and who should have taken it. Pep Guardiola pretty much confirmed in his post-match interview that it was the players' responsibility to sort it out, but I am still amazed that Erling Haaland decided to give up a penalty in an FA Cup final. Haaland has missed three penalties already this season and is only just back from injury, but he has still scored 30 goals in all competitions. If I am in his shoes, I am taking that penalty every time. What made the situation even more fascinating was hearing Henderson talking after the game. While he obviously knew exactly where Marmoush was going to put his penalty, he said if Haaland had taken it he didn't have a clue which way he was going from the spot. That was obviously City's big opportunity to level, but after that I don't think they really did enough to get anything out of the game. Nico O'Reilly did have a decent chance before the end and he could have shot earlier, but instead he chose to cut back on to his left foot and was crowded out. Other than that, they had all the ball, of course, in the second half but they did not really move the Palace defence around enough, or open them up at all despite all that pressure. This video can not be played Shearer 'can't believe' Haaland gave penalty to Marmoush City need to get over this disappointment quickly because they have got a massive Premier League game against Bournemouth on Tuesday. As things stand they are in sixth place and out of the Champions League places, so they really need to win it - in effect, it's another cup final for them. Whether they finish in the top five or not, however, I can see there being a big turnover of players in Pep's squad over the summer. We know Kevin de Bruyne is leaving and the writing appears to be on the wall for Jack Grealish as well - Guardiola preferred to bring a young kid, Claudio Echeverri, off the bench for his debut when he was desperate for a goal against Palace, rather than send on Grealish, a £100m player. There could be a lot of other changes too, and there has to be really. This City team has been amazing but they have come to the end of their period of dominance and some fresh faces are needed to get them challenging for the Premier League title again. Even if they spend big and bring a few players in, I am not sure whether they can get back to the levels they reached under Guardiola in the past few seasons, when they were the outstanding team in the country. But some kind of improvement is clearly needed. Considering the heights they have hit, for them to be in sixth place with two games to go and without a trophy for the first time since 2016-17 has already made this a very poor season by their high standards. Alan Shearer was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan at Wembley.
'This is the year of the underdog - and I love it!'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Crystal Palace Claims First FA Cup Title with Victory Over Manchester City"
Bbc News
6.1
TruthLens AI Summary
Crystal Palace's historic victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final marks a significant moment for the club, as it represents their first major trophy in history. The atmosphere at Wembley Stadium was electric, with Palace fans passionately supporting their team throughout the match, reminiscent of the excitement experienced by Newcastle supporters during their recent Carabao Cup win. The emotional rollercoaster was palpable as fans reacted to the tense moments, especially during the extended stoppage time. The celebrations that erupted post-match showcased the sheer joy and relief among the supporters, many of whom had waited a lifetime for this achievement. The players' dedication on the pitch was evident, as they executed a well-planned strategy that focused on strong defensive play and quick counter-attacks, ultimately leading to their triumph over the more dominant City side.
The victory also raises questions for Manchester City, who are now facing a crucial period ahead. Despite their possession and attacking prowess, they failed to convert opportunities into goals, particularly missing a critical penalty that could have changed the game's outcome. City's coach, Pep Guardiola, hinted at potential changes in the squad as they look to rebound from this disappointing season, which has seen them fall short of their usual standards. With key players possibly leaving and a need for fresh talent, City must regroup quickly as they aim for a crucial Premier League match against Bournemouth. The contrast between Palace's jubilant celebration and City's urgent need for improvement highlights the unpredictable nature of football, especially in a season characterized by surprises and underdog victories.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article captures the essence of an emotional moment in sports, emphasizing the triumph of underdog teams and the significance of fan engagement during pivotal matches. It highlights the joy and relief felt by Crystal Palace fans after their unexpected victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup, paralleling this with Newcastle's recent success. This narrative serves to evoke feelings of community and shared experience among sports fans, particularly those who have long waited for such moments.
Emotional Resonance and Community Spirit
The focus on the emotional highs and lows experienced by fans creates a sense of solidarity not just among Crystal Palace supporters, but also among fans of other underdog teams. The writer's personal connection to the events, having witnessed similar emotions as a Newcastle supporter, enhances the relatability of the piece. This shared experience aims to foster a sense of belonging and pride among fans who identify with the struggles and victories of their teams.
Manipulative Elements
While the article celebrates underdog victories, it may also subtly manipulate emotions by framing the narrative to exclude any discussion of the broader competitive landscape in football, such as the financial disparities that often favor larger clubs. By focusing purely on the emotional celebration, it diverts attention from systemic issues that affect the sport.
Comparison with Other News
When compared to other sports coverage, this article stands out for its focus on emotional storytelling rather than analysis. This approach can create a more passionate response from readers, particularly those who cherish the romantic side of sports. The emphasis on underdogs and dramatic victories may resonate more with audiences familiar with the struggles of lower-tier teams.
Societal Impact
The narrative may influence public sentiment towards the sport, reinforcing the idea that success is possible for less favored teams. This could lead to increased support for such clubs, potentially impacting ticket sales and fan engagement. In a broader sense, it might also inspire discussions about fairness and equity in sports, although these themes are not explicitly addressed in the article.
Target Audience
The article is likely to resonate more with local fan bases and supporters of underdog teams, who feel a deep emotional connection to their clubs. It appeals to those who value passion and loyalty in sports, rather than just success based on financial backing.
Market Implications
While the article's content does not directly impact stock markets or financial sectors, the success of teams like Crystal Palace can influence sponsorship deals, merchandise sales, and ticket prices. Clubs engaging in European competitions may see increased visibility, which can affect their market value positively.
Global Perspective
Though the article focuses on a specific sporting event, it reflects broader themes of perseverance and hope that resonate across various contexts. The triumph of underdogs can serve as a metaphor for resilience in other areas of life, although it doesn't directly address current global issues.
Use of AI in Writing
It is unlikely that AI was directly involved in the writing of this article, as the emotional and personal insights suggest a human touch. However, if AI tools were used, they might have influenced the stylistic choices in presenting the narrative, focusing on emotional engagement rather than analytical depth.
In conclusion, the article is credible in its portrayal of the emotional significance of sporting victories but may lack depth in addressing the broader context of these events. It effectively captures the joy of underdog success while potentially glossing over the underlying challenges faced by teams in a competitive sports environment.