Five Things Learned: Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City (FA Cup final) | OneFootball

Manchester City suffered a painful 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace as they sustained a second FA Cup Final loss in a row.

Pep Guardiola’s players started the game well, dominating the ball and testing the Eagles’ back line. It was, however, well-documented that Oliver Glasner’s side would try to punish Manchester City on the counter-attack, and punish them they did.

City’s positive start evaporated as Palace flew forward on a fast break with Daniel Muñoz leading the counter following a clearance from a corner. The Colombian pulled a brilliant cross into the box, and Eberechi Eze got the all-important final touch, finishing coolly into the corner, giving his side the lead with just over 15 minutes on the clock.

City continued to probe and ask questions of Glasner’s South London side but could not find the key to unlock the resolute Eagles defence, creating very little of any real substance, having the door firmly closed on them.

The Sky Blues were offered a lifeline in the 35th minute as Tyrick Mitchell brought down Bernardo Silva inside the penalty area. However, hope was soon extinguished as Omar Marmoush squandered the opportunity from the spot, seeing his effort saved by Dean Henderson.

The remainder of the game was not too dissimilar from last week’s clash against Southampton, where Manchester City simply did not have the answers to the opposition’s unrelenting low block.

They had the lion’s share of the ball but failed to make effective use of it, and while changes were made to try and turn the tides of their fortunes, it was to no avail; their efforts were futile.

Crystal Palace had won silverware for the first time in 119 years, and rather deservedly so, and Manchester City ensured they will go trophy-less for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut season at the club in 2016/17.

Here are Five Things We Learned from the difficult FA Cup Final defeat!

Erling Haaland, take responsibility!

It still remains a mystery as to why Erling Haaland gave Manchester City’s first-half spot kick to Omar Marmoush, but serious questions have to be asked as to why this decision was ultimately made.

Erling Haaland, as Manchester City’s designated penalty taker, an experienced striker who has played on the very biggest of stages; it is unacceptable to offload responsibility of such a crucial moment at the pinnacle of English football. If you are the taker, take the kick.

Especially as a member of the City leadership team, you take responsibility in the big moments and face the consequences if you miss. To offload the penalty to someone who has never taken one in blue and white before was nothing short of bizarre.

Tactically, what happened…

Whilst the strength of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City starting XI is undeniable, the choice of personnel and the elected formation may have been slightly debatable.

Despite it possibly being the most forward-thinking line-up, it may have done more harm than good in regards to fluidity in the final third. All of Pep Guardiola’s attacking fire-power was on the pitch employing a 3-2-4-1 on the ball, with two attacking midfielders and two wide players in support of Erling Haaland.

But Manchester City simply could not break down Oliver Glasner’s side, which begs the question: Was the excessive attacking approach detrimental to the Blues, making the final third too congested?

Substitution-wise, it seemed somewhat unfair to throw Claudio Echeverri in the very deepest of waters. The Argentine showed promising glimpses in his cameo, but for his first-ever appearance in blue and white to be in such dire circumstances when he has never before made the bench for Pep Guardiola.

It seemed like one last roll of the dice when nothing else seemed to be giving Manchester City impetus. So, did Pep Guardiola perhaps overthink this one?

Jérémy Doku: A shining light

Yet again, as Manchester City struggled to create anything clear-cut, the one man that continues to be a silver lining to an otherwise rather ominous cloud is Jérémy Doku, who was tenacious from minute one and left absolutely everything out on the Wembley turf.

Out of all of City’s players, the Belgian seemed the only one likely to create, proving to be a constant threat to the opposition with unrivalled pace and dynamism. The number 11 looked threatening every time he got on the ball and realistically, especially as the half progressed, looked like City’s only hope.

From a somewhat toothless performance attacking-wise, Doku’s efforts deserve plaudits, as for the 103 minutes played, he never stopped in either area of the pitch, whether that be doing his defensive duties, or charging at the Palace full-back to try and pull the Blues level.

A disappointing performance overall, but Jérémy Doku is one of Manchester City’s few players that can leave London with his head held high.

Congratulations, Crystal Palace!

Regardless of refereeing controversy or any other factor you wish to involve, there is no excuse. It is simple: Manchester City were not good enough and were outplayed on the day by a well-drilled, well-organised Crystal Palace side who executed their plan to perfection.

City were beaten by the better side, who may not have played expansive, free-flowing football and may have adopted a defensive approach, but regardless, it got them over the line, and it was the job of City to combat this. And once again, as has happened so often, the Blues were thwarted by a low block.

Crystal Palace gave their everything and did their jobs flawlessly to bar the door on Pep Guardiola’s men, and despite how poor City were, credit has to be given where credit is due, and on the day, Palace were definitely deserving of lifting their first ever trophy.

All eyes on the Premier League: UCL a must!

With City’s last hope of silverware this campaign now implausible, all focus is on the Premier League. To save this rather torrid season, qualification for UEFA Champions League football is now non-negotiable.

After failing to beat Southampton last time out, City have made their task a lot more difficult, especially as every team in and around them picked up points this weekend as the Blues fell short at Wembley.

Manchester City now sit sixth, outside of the UEFA Champions League qualification spots with a game in hand on those above them, which will be played this Tuesday night.

It is now absolutely imperative that City get all three points in midweek, as the Champions League is not only the most prestigious competition in club football, but it also is a huge bolster for the summer window, both financially and project-wise.

Without it, Hugo Viana’s aspirations of a squad overhaul – which is clearly needed – will be damaged not only in terms of budget, but also in the calibre of player Manchester City will want to bring in undoubtedly wanting to play in the competition.

So, after the opportunity of silverware has evaded Manchester City, finishing the season in the top-five is an absolute must.