Crystal Palace’s finest FA Cup moment (and it wasn't the goal)

Crystal Palace pulled off one of the great FA Cup upsets this weekend - beating Manchester City to win their first ever major trophy. But the moment that stuck with me?

Not a goal. Not a tackle. Not even the final whistle. It was something that didn’t happen.

Marc Guehi, Palace’s captain and an England international, had to come off after 60 minutes with a concussion. He’s been a cornerstone all season. Might even be off to a bigger club this summer.

So when it came time to lift the trophy - his first major silverware, and the club’s too - you’d expect him to be the one front and centre.

But he stepped aside.

And let Joel Ward do it.

Ward’s played just 12 minutes this season. Not 12 games - 12 minutes.

But he’s been at the club for over a decade. Signed for £400k when Palace were in the second tier. He’s been their club captain, their constant. And he’s leaving this summer after 13 years of service.

No announcement. No ceremony. Just a quiet, classy handover.

Guehi knew what it meant.

A quiet reminder:
Leadership isn’t just about who wears the armband.
It’s about knowing when to take the spotlight - and when to give it away.

Up the Palace.