Eberechi Eze, the Eagles’ hero at Crystal Palace, was speechless after scoring the winning goal to lift the FA Cup on Saturday after beating Manchester City 1-0.
Palace won their first major trophy in the club’s 119-year history with the England international’s 16-minute strike.
It is unique, I said. Eze said, “I have no idea what to say.”
“We have a team that has always been the world’s best,” he said. The 26-year-old continued, “To show that kind of spirit, that kind of energy.
Eze Stuns Man City To Win First FA Cup For Palace, READ ALSO.
Dean Henderson, the goalkeeper, was fortunate to escape an early red card for handling outside his box, so Palace had to take their chances.
City failed to make their dominance of possession count while Henderson also saved an Omar Marmoush penalty in the first half.
“I simply couldn’t breathe,” I said. They play the ball very well, Eze remarked of City’s quick start.
We are also aware that when we arrive at their box, they must make it count, and we are relieved that they made it count today.
With their first Europa League appearance, Palace will also compete in European competition for the first time next year.
With a convincing victory over Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2, Jasmine Paolini won the Italian Open on Saturday, making history for her second 1000 series title ahead of Roland Garros later this month.
Paolini, who defeated former US Open champion Gauff in straight sets to become the first Italian woman to win the Rome title since Raffaella Reggi in 1985. She also won in Dubai last year.
The 29-year-old won the first of three potential championships for local players at this year’s event in the Italian capital, wowing the crowded center court at the Foro Italico.
At the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament in Rome on May 17, 2025, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini celebrates her victory over Coco Gauff in her women’s singles final game against the Americans. (Photo by Tiziana FABI/AFP)
Paolini, who won two Grand Slam titles last year and will become the fourth man in the world on Monday, will be in good form in Paris following a fantastic home match.
Eze Stuns Man City To Win First FA Cup For Palace, READ ALSO.
Paolini told reporters, “Every time I go on the court, I try to do so with joy, passion, and a certain amount of calm.”
“It’s important for me to go there and make an effort to have fun, not to take things lightly as such, but to avoid setting too high expectations.”
I do what I love doing, which is extremely fortunate.
At the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament in Rome on May 17, 2025, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini celebrates her victory over Coco Gauff in her women’s singles final game against the Americans. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO/AFP)
After a “dream week,” Paolini danced with joy on the court and some fans yelled in the stands as she waited for her to win both the singles and women’s doubles competitions.
Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens square off in another final on Sunday against The Tuscan and Sara Errani, who were present on Saturday.
Both Paolini and Errani will be favorites to keep their Rome title, which they won in the same year that it won their first Olympic gold in tennis in Paris.
Paolini joy
Vera Zvonareva won the only 1000 series tournament victory at Indian Wells in 2009, while Monica Seles was the last woman to do so in Rome in 1990.
With a hat-trick of Rome titles still in the cards, Paolini’s compatriot Jannik Sinner will face off against Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster men’s singles final on Sunday.
Paolini is the oldest woman to hold the title of first lady to win it in Rome during the Open era, while Gauff, who was eight years Paolini’s junior, was the only other American to do so since Serena Williams did it in 2002.
Paolini’s life isn’t really that easy, just like she did with her battling semi-final victory over Zheng Qinwen, who made 55 unforced errors and seven double errors on serve.
At the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament in Rome on May 17, 2025, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini (l) and Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis Federation, celebrate after their victory over Coco Gauff, a woman, at Foro Italico in Rome. (Photo by Tiziana FABI/AFP)
Gauff, who lost to her in the Madrid final earlier this month, was clearly upset with her performance, which had a two-part start and continued with shoddy shots throughout the match.
“Hopefully I can make it to the final of Roland Garros,” Gauff said to reporters, “and maybe the “third time lucky” thing is real.”
With those errors, I won the final. Made the final, though I wasn’t playing my best tennis. I can do well there if I can find that good form heading into Roland Garros, just because it gives me confidence.
Paolini’s performance came to an end with a sluggish service return attempt, which gave her possibly the biggest win of her career. Gauff, who will still be world number two heading into the French Open, lost five of her nine games.
Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun State, has promised to pay $2.5 million for each gold medal won by state athletes at the state’s upcoming National Sports Festival, which will take place on Sunday.
Additionally, the governor promised to pay $1. 5 million and $1 million, respectively, for each silver and bronze medal won at the event.
When he visited Babcock University’s Ilisan-Remo, Ilisan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, he made the commitment.
Governor Abiodun also promised the sum of $50,000 to each Ogun State athlete who would participate in the camp while addressing the state contingents there, urging them to leave and make the state proud.
, Ogun Unveils Logo, Theme Song, Mascot For National Sports Festival, and more.
“I am aware that an instant award is presented when you win a medal.” He said, “Once you get a medal, you get a reward, a huge reward.”
“Anybody who wins a gold medal at this festival will receive a sum of N2.5 million from me. I’ll donate N1.5 million to the silver medalist for every silver medal. Anyone who wins the bronze medal will receive $1 million.
You are here because you represent Ogun State the best. Anyone who isn’t present must represent Ogun State. You are here to win rather than compete alone. You must bring the medals home with you because we want to win.
The governor noted that Ogun is known for being the best, just as the state has produced world-class athletes and athletes who have inspired others. He applauded the athletes for their example of servant leadership in their homeland.
He emphasized that this is the first time that all athletes are grouped together for the National Sports Festival competition and that the state has provided the infrastructure and facilities needed for a seamless competition.
The National Sports Festival was meant to unite all Nigerians. By the time you leave, you will have forged friendships across the Niger and Benue.
You’ve traveled from all over this state, camped, and practiced for months in preparation for the competition.
We have provided the resources and infrastructure that have made Nigerian sports as the national benchmark. The governor stated that the newly renovated International Sports Arena in Abeokuta will host international competitions and that the state is “working to develop the sports economy in Ogun State.”
Chelsea ensured that qualification for the Champions League remains in their own hands as Marc Cucurella’s winner beat Manchester United 1-0 to climb to fourth in the Premier League.
United are gearing up for next week’s Europa League final against Tottenham but ran the Blues close as Ruben Amorim named a stronger line-up than expected.
However, the Red Devils ultimately slipped to an 18th league defeat of the season and remain 16th in the table.
Chelsea and Aston Villa, who beat Spurs 2-0 in Friday’s other Premier League match, both leapfrog Manchester City into the top five.
City have a game in hand at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday as they face Crystal Palace in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
But Chelsea will be assured of a return to Europe’s top competition after a two-year absence should they beat Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season.
READ ALSO: FA Cup Success ‘Massively Important’ For Man City, Says Guardiola
United’s miserable season can only be saved by victory in Bilbao in five days’ time but Amorim resisted the temptation to rest his key men at Stamford Bridge.
Captain Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo and Casemiro were among those to start as Amorim named close to his strongest available side.
Referee Chris Kavanagh gives a yellow card to Manchester United’s Uruguayan midfielder #25 Manuel Ugarte following a foul on Chelsea’s Spanish defender #03 Marc Cucurella during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on May 16, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)
Chelsea were without a recognised striker due to Nicolas Jackson’s suspension and the continued absence due to injury of Christopher Nkunku.
Teenager Tyrique George, a natural winger, was forced to lead the line in an unfamiliar role up front and the Blues’ lack of a focal point saw them easily snuffed out.
United’s bright start was nearly rewarded when Harry Maguire fired in Fernandes’ inviting cross only for a VAR review to show the centre-back had strayed centimetres offside.
Chelsea’s best effort before half-time saw Reece James’ long-range effort come back off the post.
Cole Palmer was the one creative spark for Enzo Maresca’s men and nearly produced a moment of magic with a dipping shot that Andre Onana palmed into the path of Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentine somehow fired over over with the goal gaping and was grateful to the offside flag for sparing his blushes.
A match littered with stoppages for minor injuries and VAR checks did not allow either side to hit their rhythm.
United started strongly again in the second period but failed to make it count as Mason Mount fired wide on his return to Stamford Bridge, before Fernandes blasted over.
On the hour mark a VAR review came to the visitors’ aid when referee Chris Kavanagh initially pointed to the penalty spot after a challenge between George and Onana.
However, replays showed the goalkeeper clearly played the ball and the spot-kick was overturned.
With Chelsea’s forward players lacking inspiration, the match-winning moment was created and converted by their full-backs 20 minutes from time.
James turned nearly on the edge of the box and clipped in a cross that Cucurella met perfectly to head in his seventh goal of the season.
Noni Madueke should have doubled the lead within seconds when he skewed wide after a slick pass from Palmer.
That miss could have been costly had Robert Sanchez not denied Diallo at his near post.
But Chelsea held their nerve to edge towards the brink of a return to the riches and glamour of the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola said winning the FA Cup would still be signficant for Manchester City, even if victory in Saturday’s final will not mask a disappointing season by their own high standards.
City were deposed as Premier League champions by Liverpool for the first time in five years and are facing a first trophyless season since Guardiola’s debut campaign in 2016/17 if they do not beat Crystal Palace in this weekend’s showpiece match at Wembley.
Indeed, Guardiola’s men, with two league games remaining, face a fight just to finish in the top five of the Premier League to secure Champions League qualification.
But the City manager insisted Friday all of the club’s focus was fixed on lifting a trophy in their third consecutive FA Cup final.
READ ALSO: De Bruyne Seeks Fitting Man City Farewell In FA Cup Final
“That is the problem, right? The FA Cup now is not the first choice (trophy),” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference. “Once we are here of course we want the trophy.
“It is massively important.
“But to win the trophy you have to be there. And to have to be there, you have to win previous games. And we have done it for many, many years in the last years.”
Erling Haaland is expected to start after making his comeback from a six-week injury absence in last weekend’s disappointing goalless draw at already-relegated Southampton.
Guardiola added he is not thinking about managing Kevin De Bruyne’s minutes to ensure he can also play a part in his last home match for the club on Tuesday against Bournemouth.
But the City boss is not willing to take a risk on welcoming back Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
The Spanish midfielder is nearing a return after suffering cruciate ligament damage in September.
“He is much, much better,” said Guardiola of Rodri. “I am waiting for the doctors. When they tell me when he is ready, he is going to start.
“We don’t want to take a risk and take a step back.”
Kevin De Bruyne can add another honour to his haul as Manchester City’s most decorated player of all time with a fitting farewell in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
The Belgian’s trophy-littered decade in Manchester will come to an end at the conclusion of the Premier League season.
But Wembley’s showpiece is the 33-year-old’s final chance to lift silverware at the club where he grew into one of world’s best players.
A six-time Premier League winner, De Bruyne could add a third FA Cup to his five League Cups and 2023 Champions League win with City.
He has expressed his “surprise” that City did not seek to extend his stay, filled with the belief that he can still perform at the highest level.
READ ALSO: Rashford To Miss Last Two Games Of Aston Villa’s Season
De Bruyne rolled back the years when City rallied from 2-0 down to thrash Palace 5-2 just last month with a goal and an assist.
City will be hoping for more of the same to give him a fitting farewell and save some face from a season to forget for Pep Guardiola’s men.
After an unprecedented run of four consecutive Premier League titles, City are 18 points adrift of champions Liverpool and embroiled in a battle just to finish in the top five to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
De Bruyne’s decline has played a factor in City’s downturn.
Of his 108 goals and 177 assists for the club in 419 appearances, only six and eight respectively have come this season.
‘Leave like a champion’
However, he remains “irreplaceable” due to his impact in City’s rise to being the dominant force in English football, according to the club’s prolific striker Erling Haaland.
“To get the balls from him is a dream,” said Haaland. “It has been really special playing with him. Such a joy, and I am going to do everything I can to have this joy in the last few games.
“The future will be different with different players. When Kevin leaves we will need someone to replace him, although Kevin is irreplaceable in so many ways.”
Guardiola has appeared almost apologetic for overlooking De Bruyne at times this season as he searched for solutions to fill the gaps in City’s ageing midfield.
“The gratitude I have, we have, is huge,” said Guardiola.
“Kevin is the player in the history of the club with the most titles and that defines what Kevin has done with us.”
A giant mural of De Bruyne alongside his trophy haul as a City player was unveiled in Manchester city centre on Thursday.
Guardiola has suggested a statue outside the club’s Etihad Stadium is also just a matter of time.
But after a decade most characterised by a relentless thirst to keep on winning, the most fitting tribute would be for De Bruyne to go out with another medal around his neck.
“The whole team only has one thought and that’s to try and get the trophy and to make the day special for Kevin,” said City midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
“For what he’s done, he deserves to leave like a champion which he obviously is.
“He is a massive figure in City’s success, and he will be remembered as one of the best.”
