Crystal Palace fans in ecstasy after 'unbelievable' FA Cup win

Crystal Palace fans celebrated late into the night following the club's historic FA Cup win over Manchester City on Saturday.

The south London side won 1-0, marking the club's first major trophy in its history.

Eberechi Eze's 16th minute goal secured the victory, with scenes of ecstasy breaking out among fans across the capital and beyond when the full-time whistle was blown.

"It's an amazing day," one fan who was at Wembley told BBC London. "I've supported Palace for 46 years and I don't know if I ever thought I'd see this.

"Genuinely the best day of my sporting life."

"Unbelievable," another added. "I was here 35 years ago for the cup final [defeat by Manchester United]. After winning it now - unbelievable - a really emotional day."

While City dominated possession, Oliver Glasner's side kept the seven-time winners out, with keeper Dean Henderson saving from Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku in the first half, then denying Claudio Echeverri after the break.

As the club lifted their first major trophy in their 120-year professional history, there were tears of joy in the stands.

"I absolutely can't believe it. It's incredible, once in a lifetime," a fan in the crowd said.

"When we got our chance to attack, we made it," added another.

"I can't believe that we just won that - absolutely incredible."

Outside of the stadium, fans following the match on TV and radio went wild as victory was confirmed.

At Croydon's Boxpark, supporters who were watching the game on the big screen launched their drinks into the air when the referee blew the final whistle.

"That was epic. I love this team, I love this town," one supporter, who was from Croydon, said.

"We cried. But hey, I'm 65. If I cry, I cry."

Another added: "Tears that I didn't know I had came out."

"If we never win another match again, I don't care now. I'm so happy," a third said.

"We don't do this, we don't win trophies. This is surreal. Up the Palace," another said.

Former Eagles midfielder Paul Mortimer told BBC Radio London the win was "huge" for south London.

"The strange thing, the last time a south London goalkeeper saved a penalty, the trophy came south," he said.

"It's a huge shot in the arm for Crystal Palace and for south London. It just shows there's some quality at Crystal Palace.

"There's players there who now know they can win, because they've done it."

A day on from the match and a jubilant atmosphere remains around the Crystal Palace triangle.

Walking the streets in his red-and-blue Palace scarf was lifelong fan Jamie Willard who said he felt lucky to have attended the match.

"It was really really emotional. I've been fortunate that I've been at some of those failed FA Cup attempts beforehand, so you're kind of conditioned - we're really pessimistic, we're not used to winning," he explained.

"Everyone around us was just screaming, hugging each other, lots of families in tears, it was just brilliant."

And that joy is set to continue with the Eagles announcing that their official winners party is set to take place on 26 May.

Analysis by BBC London Sport's Phil Parry

What Crystal Palace, their manager and their players need to be congratulated on is how seriously they've taken the FA Cup right from the get-go, right from playing the likes of Stockport County early doors.

Oliver Glasner's played a strong team all the way through and he's been nothing shy of declaring he wants to go far, he wants to win it if he possibly can.

That belief that's come from the manager has been extended out on to the pitch.

I think there was a growing belief ahead of yesterday that they could win against Manchester City.

It's brilliant for football that someone different wins the FA cup. It's brilliant for south London and I think it's given the FA Cup a real boost.

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