A general view of Crystal Palace supporters in the stands during the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 21, 2016. See PA story SOCCER Final. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Which proverb is this? Just be happy that it happened, not that it’s over. Conversely, life is more about the trip than the destination. or something like.
Proverbs can never fully ease the hurt of this day (17 April 2022) at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final, but it does provide a chance to reflect on an incredible campaign.
With a 2-1 victory over Millwall in January, the Eagles got off to a fiery start. Michael Olise’s goal and inspiring assist silenced the Den and produced an away end that will be remembered for years.
Hartlepool was the next to arrive, providing a reminder of the fundamentals of football. In addition to contributing to the opposing manager Graham Lee’s wife’s medical fund, Crystal Palace covered the cost of the coaches that brought in the out-of-town supporters for the match.
“What Crystal Palace has done for my wife and I is simply incredible, in addition to arranging for the buses to carry the fans down.
“I will always be appreciative, not only to the team but also to the supporters,” It is simply unbelievable for us to know that my wife has more than a year’s worth of medication, as I last checked before the game.
“The support and messages from the fans means as much, especially for my wife because the well-wishes and positive energy coming for her can only help.
“A massive thanks from me, especially to all of Crystal Palace. I will follow Crystal Palace and hope they have success going forward now for what they have done.”
On the pitch the Eagles scored via Marc Guéhi and Olise – again – to progress, with Jairo Riedewald smashing home a later winner against Stoke City in the next round to reach the quarter-finals – all while Tayo Adaramola made his debut on the biggest stage.
The last eight saw Palace’s best performance of the season, as they scored a fluke goal and two average goals on their way to a comfortable four-goal thrashing of Frank Lampard’s Everton, and a place at Wembley was secured.
Chelsea awaited, and although the Eagles pushed and pressed – hitting the woodwork and forcing important saves from Edouard Mendy – they were eventually beaten, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount scoring the decisive goals.
But what an afternoon it was, with thousands of balloons turning Wembley into a sea of red and blue. Let’s do it again soon, eh?
