Who would’ve thought this would happen in today’s FA Cup Final for 2025?
Fantastic afternoon from Crystal Palace who not just able to hold down Man City by 1-0 thanks to Eberechi Eze but they’re also off to the Europa League next season and Oliver Glasner will be there hoping to get another European trophy like he did back in 2022 with Frankfurt v Rangers.
That was also the season where David Moyes’ West Ham fell short in the semi also by the same Glasner-led Frankfurt side – something his Palace side would like to do by bettering the Hammers and maybe play in a big Final. Although the Europa format likewise with the Conference comp and the CL has now changed into a Swiss-style format rather than see who’s best across each group & there’s no dropping down comps either…except at Play-Off Qualifying Rounds.
Too early to tell at this stage but Oliver surely loves dominating in Cup comps more than in regular week league.
And yes, West Ham would’ve surely wished that Eze was the man for their team when they went through a very tough time back in 2020 – only for Moyes to make miracles for the next number of years until 12 months ago. He’s back at Everton under their new American owners now hoping to stir up magic again next season along with that new Stadium after he helped them stay in the PL mid-table.
Other than that, despite having less ball than City, Palace did great both managing defense and attack – they’ve had the all-action No.9 Jean-Philippe Mateta harrying opposition defenders for the benefit of the whole team while Dean Henderson kept City frustrated in front of goal all day.
Even if City fans and Pep weren’t one bit happy at him about it post-game, the result is a result that isn’t their way, and yet they might be in Europa alongside Palace instead of the CL next season.
Now that one mid-table PL has secured next season’s Europa group stage berth, there will be another dreaming to play the same thing but in the big time CL ahead of Thursday morning’s Europa Final for 2024/25 in Bilbao, Spain – it’s Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham v Man United.
Both teams along with their coaches have a point to prove although this could be Ange’s last game as Spurs coach considering his dire PL record this season but maybe not if he can bring home that piece of silverware after all. If not, Ruben Amorim would be more than happy to accept the Europa title potentially as his first European trophy – he could even go back-to-back via the CL at some point.
But again, winning the PL first like it was last time that goes way back to mid-2013 under Sir Alex would help the Red Devils beat everyone in Europe with confidence – they also haven’t won CL since 2007-08.
Anyways, can’t wait for that all-English Final as make sure you better be up and early. 9Gem in simulcast with Stan Sport will be bringing you the all-important action from 4.30am AEST with host Adam Peacock alongside ex-Socceroos Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich (yes, the one who also kept goal for Man U back in his day).
Who knows? An Aussie as a coach winning one to save his job or Man U has a point to prove they’re still in it so they can win regular trophies yet again like Man City has been doing these past 10 years post Sir Alex.
