Crystal Palace lose the FA Cup Final to Manchester United

Wembley Stadium. Pic: @cpfc

Crystal Palace failed to win the FA Cup yesterday (May 21) despite scoring the opening goal at Wembley.

Palace played against Manchester United, after they beat Watford 2-1 in the semi-final.

After a delayed start, the match kicked off with Palace’s familiar faces, including favourite striker Connor Wickham.

It was Palace’s second FA Cup Final appearance, 26 years after they lost to Manchester United in their first appearance.

Palace fans were distraught as an early, 17th minute goal from Wickham was disallowed due to the referee, Mark Clattenburg, blowing his whistle for a foul on Wickham.

Clattenburg gave Chris Smalling a yellow card and the play was called back.

Manager Alan Pardew’s team stood 0-0 at half time despite numerous chances from a dominant United side.

The game changed for Palace after the substitution of local Jason Puncheon for Yohan Cabaye. Just seven minutes after Puncheon was bought on, he smashed the ball in the back of the net to give Palace the lead.

Pardew’s exuberant celebrations were, however, short lived.

Alan Pardew's celebration was a bit premature… #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/o0rr8kL4jI

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 21, 2016

Just 120 seconds after their goal, United equalised with a powerful strike from Juan Mata.

As the match reached 90 minutes, five minutes of additional time was added, and Mata was substituted for Jesse Lingard.

With the scores still standing at 1-1, the match went into extra time.

At the end of the first 15 minutes, both teams looked exhausted. However, the Palace fans still stood strong supporting their team.

Fans were even more hopeful in the second half of extra time after a foul on Yannick Bolasie resulted in another yellow card for Smalling, who then received a red card and got sent off, leaving United with just ten players.

With just ten minutes left of extra time, Lingard scored for United with an expert volley.

In his post-match press conference, Pardew commended the players for their performance on the pitch.

AP: The players gave me everything today. They played with heart, passion.

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 21, 2016

The Palace fans were also mentioned for being extraordinarily loud and supportive:

Unbelievable atmosphere inside Wembley. Absolutely incredible.

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 21, 2016

AP: Our fans showed the world that we can fill any stadium and we’ll never be out-sung. They made a real racket today.

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 21, 2016

Pardew also apologised for his pitch-side dance:

AP: If you’ll forgive me for my dance, it was just because I enjoyed that moment!

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 21, 2016

Palace fans still sung on after the match had ended, and cheered their disheartened team as they were visibly upset and exhausted on the pitch after the final whistle.