Afcon champion who turned down Man United praises Palace after beating Man City

2013 AFCON winner, John Obi Mikel, has praised the staff and players of Crystal Palace after their huge win against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the FA Cup final, Soccernet.ng reports.

Although Pep's side have been poor on all fronts this season, they were still favourites to win the prestigious trophy at Wembley heading into the game.

A lone strike from Eberechi Eze was enough to win the first-ever major trophy for the Eagles, and Mikel Obi, who won the competition four times, lauded Palace for making history.

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“Great story. I think the funny thing is when you look at the club, Steve Parish has done an amazing job since he's taken over.

“I think they were going to go down due to financial issues, but since he took over, they've been on the rise and Oliver Glasner as well, a manager who knows how to win. You know, he did that as well in Germany with Frankfurt, and he's done it here.

“Talking about that, I remember after he lost to Manchester City (5-2) earlier this season, and he told Pep Guardiola: ‘Listen, the next time I play against you, if you use this system, I'll beat you,' but Pep being stubborn, being himself, didn't listen and Glasner did it. It was a fantastic final and a credit to Crystal Palace,” the ex-Chelsea midfielder said on the Obi One Podcast.

“This is the story we like to see when we talk about the FA Cup and the Carling Cup. The smaller teams winning those trophies is good for English football, and for Crystal Palace to have done it is massive. I don't think they've ever won a major trophy in football.

After Crystal Palace's last match v Man City, Oliver Glasner said this ️

The two teams meet again in the FA Cup final later today… pic.twitter.com/suLpFdJv9t

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 17, 2025

“It's a brilliant achievement for everyone involved, and again, to Oliver Glasner for the way he's built that team. You have the likes of Adam Wharton in the midfield, a fantastic young player. Everyone's waxing lyrical about him, and it's no less than he deserves.

“He's good on and off the ball. He thinks in a way that helps the team get forward, and he sets up the attack for the lethal three forwards they have in Mateta, Eze and Sarr.

“Mateta was brilliant against City, holding up the ball and bringing Sarr and Eze into play. They played well, defended really well. Haaland didn't get a sniff, and that's credit to how they play.

“They'll be lucky to keep these guys next season, especially Eze, because I think the big boys will be knocking at the door,” the one-time UEFA Champions League winner concluded.

As a result of their FA Cup triumph, Crystal Palace will play in the UEFA Europa League next season, a new feat for the London-based club.