Parish insists Glasner’s position was never in doubt having witnessed his work and upbeat nature on the training ground. This day, when a new chapter was written in Palace’s history, is the payback for that show of faith.
Glasner has devised the perfect system to suit the attacking trio of Eze, Ismaila Sarr and Mateta, the latter the spearhead and focal point, the others drifting behind with freedom and menace.
Palace have strengths elsewhere, with Munoz directly involved in 13 goals in all competitions this season — six goals and seven assists, the joint-most of any defender for Premier League clubs in 2024-25 alongside Tottenham’s Pedro Porro.
The Eagles’ back three of Chris Richards, Lacroix and Guehi have been rock solid, even though Palace lost influential captain Guehi after 61 minutes at Wembley following a blow to the head.
And, crucially on the big occasions when margins are fine, Palace also possess an X-factor.
Glasner’s big players, those he was convinced would come out of that early-season slump, have delivered throughout this FA Cup journey, and were heroes again against City.
Eze’s crisp 16th-minute strike settled this final, finishing off a classic Palace counter-attack with a sweeping finish past City keeper Stefan Ortega.
It was Palace’s first shot and first touch inside the penalty box, but with such economy and ruthlessness came the decisive moment.
The gifted forward set Palace on their way at Fulham in the quarter-final then Aston Villa in the semi-final at Wembley.
When, as they will be forever, stories of Palace’s FA Cup win are told, Eze’s name will be permanently attached.
