'I couldn't breathe': Eberechi Eze reflects on historic FA Cup-winning goal

Evening Standard

·17 May 2025

'I couldn't breathe': Eberechi Eze reflects on historic FA Cup-winning goal

Palace scored early and dug in to see out the result

Eberechi Eze was nearly speechless as he reminisced on scoring the winning goal for Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final, simply saying he was out of breath as he fired home.

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The Eagles downed Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley Stadium to win a first title in club history, Eze’s 16th-minute counter-attack goal securing the result. He arrived at pace to meet Daniel Munoz’s cross, firing home to put Palace ahead.

It was a hard-fought win from there on out. The South Londoners were under the cosh for long stretches as City attacked relentlessly but were frustrated by a string of impressive defensive blocks and heroic saves from Dean Henderson as they laid everything on the line.

Eze said that Palace’s win came down to being clinical when it mattered, with their chances few and far between.

“I just couldn’t breathe,” he said at full time. “They keep the ball so well, you have to work so hard to get anything from them.

“When you get up there, you have to take the chances and make it count.”

It was Crystal Palace’s third attempt at the FA Cup final, having lost to Manchester United in 1990 and 2016, and Eze was proud to have ended the club’s long wait for silverware. To do it against seven-time FA Cup champions Man City made it that much sweeter.

He continued: “It's special, man. I don't even know what to say. I'm grateful.

“We come here as a club three times, facing the team that is the best in the world, for how long?

“To show that type of spirit, that type of energy.

“It is hard to use the right words here. Thank God. Only God can do this.”

Also speaking at full time, Oliver Glasner lauded Eze’s efforts: “He scored the opener against Fulham, scored the opener against Villa, and scored the opener and winner today. If you want to win a trophy, then you need great players, and we have great players.”