Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace
Man of the Match: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
In 2011, Jesse Lingard helped Manchester United win the FA Youth Cup. In 2016, he scored the goal that secured a record-equalling 12th FA Cup.
Much has gone wrong at Old Trafford over the past nine months, with a shortage of goals, an incoherent, tedious philosophy and some undistinguished results, but Lingard has offered a shaft of light in the darkness. It was fitting he delivered their first major trophy in three years, perhaps the only piece of silverware Louis van Gaal will win.
For all his flaws, the Dutchman has upheld United’s traditions by trusting in youth. Lingard, who has been at United since he was seven, had only played 25 minutes of first-team football for them before October. Since then, Van Gaal has made him a regular and, while he was demoted to the bench, he came off it to score a Wembley winner that will be remembered for many a year, and not just by United diehards.
It was a glorious goal, a rifled shot that was still rising as it nestled in the back of the net. It meant that, as they had in 1985, United won an FA Cup final when they were reduced to 10 men and, as in 1990, they beat Crystal Palace in the showpiece.
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Sadly for Palace, history repeated itself. Like 26 years ago, they led and were pegged back. United, who had been lifeless at times before then, showed the contradictions in their character by performing better in adversity, first when a goal behind and then with a man fewer.
Because while Lingard joins the long list of men who decided the world’s oldest footballing competition, Chris Smalling had the unwanted distinction of becoming the first Englishman ever sent off in an FA Cup final. His two bookable offences, for trying to wrest Connor Wickham down and tugging back Yannick Bolasie, were clear. The only controversy was that, on the first occasion, referee Mark Clattenburg should have played an advantage. Wickham went on to score, albeit after the whistle had been blown and with a motionless David de Gea making no effort to save his shot.
That was at 0-0. Palace, who have been waiting 111 years to win the FA Cup, may wonder when their time will finally arrive. Their gameplan, of keeping it tight for the opening hour, worked well. They defended defiantly and frustrated United. For the 30th time this season, United left the field at half-time without having fashioned a breakthrough.
They were then twice denied by the frame of their goal. Marouane Fellaini was not merely recalled, but installed at the centre of United’s plans. His presence was required in both penalty boxes. He was both set-piece threat and the man to repel Palace’s deliveries. Marcus Rashford was not fazed by the stage. A delightful flick, showing cheek and skill in equal measure, enabled him to release Fellaini, who thumped his shot against the bar. Meanwhile, Anthony Martial had struck the post with a header from Antonio Valencia’s cross.
When the excellent Rashford hobbled off, Palace sensed an opening. Jason Puncheon, Palace supporter turned Palace player, came off the bench to score with an unstoppable shot from an acute angle. Manager Alan Pardew danced a ludicrous dance, the sort that had the potential to appear misguided even in the three minutes before that lead was cancelled out.
There is a theory Van Gaal is a lucky manager. That appeared borne out when, as he was about to substitute Juan Mata and bring on Lingard, the Spaniard scored. Mata a player Van Gaal has seemed to distrust. He lacks the pace the Dutchman often says he wants and has been shunted around and out of the side. Yet he possesses quality.
It was a timely moment to illustrate it but like Puncheon, he was upstaged by Lingard, the local lad who emerged from obscurity to win the FA Cup in stunning fashion.
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