Key events
AFC Wimbledon reach League Two playoff final
It’s all over in south-west London. Josh Neufville’s early goal gives AFC Wimbledon a 1-0 win on the day, 2-0 on aggregate, and they will play Walsall at Wembley on Monday 26 May.
Bradley signs new Liverpool deal
Andy Martin writes:
Breaking news from Liverpool: Conor Bradley has signed a new long-term contract with the Premier League champions, the club has announced. The 21-year-old has agreed to extend his six-year deal and said on Liverpool’s website: “To sign another contract, I’m very proud and happy to see what the next steps on our journey together will be. You’ve just got to keep your head down and keep working hard.
“It has been a fantastic two years [with the senior team]. Especially since coming back from loan and doing so well last year and continuing that this year. It’s been really good. So, hopefully we can keep going and keep making more memories.”
Bradley, who joined the club from Dungannon United in September 2019 and had a season-long spell on loan at Bolton, has made 27 appearances for Arne Slot’s side this season. He earned a Carabao Cup-winner’s medal in 2024 when Liverpool beat Chelsea.
Jamie Jackson
Here at football HQ, the sun is shining, the sward shiny green and mown resplendent, and on the stroll up Wembley Way it was heartening to witness Crystal Palace and Manchester City fans in jocular mood together.
At the moment, in the rows of pitch side media, I spy Michael Brown, Mark Chapman and Nedum Onuoha holding forth – and I have just had a quick chat with the esteemed and certifiable gent, John Murray, of BBC 5Live: he and I are looking forward to this one.
Back to our fan chat, and the penultimate question: Which one of their players would you like to sign the most?
LS: “Simple, Wharton. He should be starting for England, alongside Declan Rice. He’s the best passer England has produced since Paul Scholes.”
CW: “Haaland or Marmoush would get a game – but I also really like the look of McAtee and O’Reilly. Their academy pipeline is incredible.”
Stoppage time in the League Two semi-final, and AFC Wimbledon are still winning, 1-0 on the day and 2-0 on aggregate.
“Much as I sort of love “Fortress Selhurst” it is a dump, albeit one that is far easier to access than most away fans/journos complain about,” insists Mike, meanwhile.
“I’m a City fan and live in Beckenham,” emails Matt. “It’s lovely seeing all the kids in Palace tops on their way to the big game today. While obviously I hope we win (my memory isn’t so short that a cup final has stopped being a massive thrill), Palace are a proper football club who are impossible to hate. So I’d be chuffed for them if they win – especially after the trauma of losing to a terrible United team last year. Literally anything would be better than that!”
When I went out for lunch a bit earlier, I saw four Crystal Palace fans walking along the road eating ice creams. Is it a sign?
Anyway, do submit your questions for Barney Ronay ASAP. Questions about the FA Cup final, obviously.
Send them to matchday live or comment below the line.
“On way to Wembley with my daughter, sister and future brother in law,” writes Wayne Riches.
“This is why Palace are such a special club: In 2016, my Dad and I went to the final. Sadly we had lost my Mum two months before and the day I could buy tickets was the day of her funeral. Palace allowed me to buy my tickets the day before.
“Sadly we have now lost my Dad. If we win today it is going to mean so much!
Palace also do so much for neurodiversity as well. They have a specially-designed area for neurodiverse individuals, which makes such a difference.”
Robbie Savage has agreed a two-year deal to remain as manager of Macclesfield after guiding them to promotion to National League North. Savage doubles as a director of the Silkmen, with the former Leicester, Blackburn and Birmingham midfielder having helped his friend Robert Smethurst relaunch the club after Macclesfield Town were wound up in 2020. In his first season as manager Macclesfield have stormed to promotion, sealing the Northern Premier League title with six games to spare and piling up 109 points from 42 games.
Taha Hashim’s Football Daily, from yesterday, also pays homage to the Pards dance:
Andy Martin has penned something about that infamous Pardew boogie in 2016:
“Has anyone nominated this as the most cringe-worthy moment in the history of the FA Cup – Palace manager’s Alan Pardew’s dad dance at 2016 FA Cup final Manchester United ?
“In response to Jason Puncheon’s goal in the 78th minute, Pardew essayed a hip-swaying, finger-clicking touchline faux pas that sends shivers down the spines of embarrassed Eagles fans to this day.
“He said: ‘It literally just happened and was a spontaneous thing. Me and my younger daughter had been messing about, dancing, and she was teaching me to do some moves and it must have been in my head.’ Palace lost and Pards was gone seven months later after being sacked by Palace in December 2016.”
Please submit your questions for Barney Ronay.
Our chief sports writer will be along later.
You can comment below with your questions or email matchday live.
Here is Barney’s piece about the marvellous Eberechi Eze from after Palace’s quarter-final win at Fulham:
The Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the Premier League’s Big Six era is over. The Gunners face Newcastle in their final home match on Sunday with both vying for a Champions League place. A win at the Emirates would take Eddie Howe’s side second.
With Manchester City scrambling to salvage a top-five spot, and Manchester United and Tottenham relying on Europa League success, Arteta said: “The level has gone to something bigger than what we have experienced in the previous 12 months and in the past.
“I know a lot of the coaches and we have had discussions about that, and it is frightening the way that it is evolving, and how competitive it is, and how difficult it is to win, and because the margins are so small next season is going to be even more difficult.
“If you ask any manager at the end of the season: ‘Can you promise to be in the Champions League next season?’, I don’t know who is going to say ‘yes’ to that, so that tells you the story.
“We understand the expectations and how people think but to get sustainability, stability and to be in the best possible position as a football club, as a squad and as a team, you certainly have to be in that competition.”
On which note …
This is the real FA Cup final quiz:
A large FA Cup replica trophy, inside the tunnel at Wembley, has been scribbled on by fan with good luck messages for their teams.
“Bring it home to Fat Boy SE25” is one such message.
“Getting my 1990 palace shirt on as I get up in frosty Patagonia,” emails Jeremy.
“What I remember about the 2016 final is that the referee denied Palace one or maybe even two goalscoring opportunities by not playing an obvious advantage. Mateta and Sarr watch out ! COYP.”
Too kind Tom, thank you.
Let’s get back to the fans’ view, continued from earlier:
How would you sum up their club in a sentence?
Lloyd Scragg: “Likeable, rooted in working-class culture, often the bridesmaid – but a club with renewed hope and momentum under a fantastic manager.”
Chris Waters: “Hmm, sorry Lloyd, I’ll struggle to be so generous. I’d say City are a state-funded club at a tipping point; they could be a real threat next season, or mired in legal hell.”
LS: “Honestly I think it’s reductive to label City as ‘state-funded’ and ignore our history before 2008. The core of City’s match-going fanbase is naturally still working-class Mancunians, despite the club’s efforts to erode that.”
Right, my reign of terror is over. I’ll hand you back to the more-capable-than-me hands of Luke McLaughlin.
Has there ever been an FA Cup final single that’s not cringe? Well, Doc Brown might have finally have managed to make a good one.
Returning to our FA Cup final sit-down with Lloyd Scragg (City) and Chris Waters (Palace).
What do you reckon their weak link is?
LS: “I guess it comes down to whether or not Wharton is fit. Hughes has done a sterling job this season, but Wharton would be a huge loss. I’d also look at Mitchell, who lacks Muñoz’s intensity and attacking threat – and I think he can be got at defensively.”
CW: “Not sure there is one for City – perhaps their mobility in midfield if they do play ‘the uncs’ as you call them! But De Bruyne always has a stormer against us anyway. Their strength off the bench is frightening too. Calling out Mitchell is an interesting one – many Palace fans would do the same – but again he has been playing very well the past few weeks.”
Rangers have taken the lead at Hibs, Cyriel Dessers with a goal after two minutes. Follow all the live scores here.
Fast start at the Cherry Red Records Stadium (Plough Lane, to you and me), Josh Neufville has put the home side ahead after two minutes and the Dons now have a 2-0 lead on aggregate.
We have a few 12.30pm kick-offs today ahead of events Wembley. In the Scottish Premiership, Celtic received a guard of honour from St Mirren, Dundee United are taking on Aberdeen and Hibs hosti Rangers. The second leg of the League Two playoff semi-final between Wimbledon and Notts County is also underway. Follow those scores live here.
Putting petty rivalries aside, Palace fan Wayne Riches has emailed in highlighting the positive impact his football club has had in tough times:
On way to Wembley with my daughter, sister and future brother in law. This is why Palace are such a special club. In 2016, my dad and I went to the final. Sadly we had lost my mum two months before and the day I could buy tickets was the day of her funeral. Palace allowed me to buy my tickets the day before. Sadly we have now lost my dad. If we win today is going to mean so much.
Palace also do so much for neuro diversity as well. They have a specially designed area for neuro diverse individuals which makes such a difference.
I was not aware of the neuro diverse area at Selhurst Park, that is a fantastic initiative. More like this please and best of luck today, Wayne.
I absolutely refuse to believe this is from a Brighton fan.
Brighton fan, rooting for Palace, no question. They given so much entertainment and exciting football this season. Let the eagles soar!
Hello, dear reader, unfortunately you have to put with me for a little while… so, anyone else rooting for City?
Here’s the case: a win for Palace kills another element of drama in the already very dead rubber final two games in the Premier League. Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham are all still in with a shout of European football, unless Palace win. Why would you want less drama? Insult me below the line or via the email above.
I’m off for a bit of lunch, Tom Bassam is stepping into the breach.
Here’s our news story on Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen signing for Real Madrid:
Before this season Manchester City have played at least one final – excluding the Community Shield – in all but two of Pep Guardiola’s eight campaigns as manager. Including the Community Shield, City have reached a final in all but one season (2016-17, Guardiola’s first) since 2009-10.
That contrasts with Crystal Palace, who have only contested a major trophy twice in their history, reaching – and losing – the FA Cup final in 1990 and in 2016, against Manchester United on both occasions. In playoff finals their record is impressive. Palace have been promoted to the top flight via the playoff final three times in the Premier League era (though they lost the 1995-96 Division One play-off final against Leicester). (Guardian Sport)
(As someone who goes to Selhurst Park fairly frequently, I agree with Lloyd’s point about it being a pleasingly old-school venue.)
Back to our FA Cup final sit-down with Lloyd Scragg and Chris Waters, City and Palace fans respectively.
What do you think of their fans?
LS: “Palace have great fans. I’ve always admired them. I know other fans are snobby about the Holmesdale ultras but I like the energy they bring. Selhurst is one the best away grounds: a proper old-school, throwback experience in the sanitised Premier League.”
CW: “Difficult one … Judging by all the empty seats at the Etihad, their traditional fanbase can’t feel all that close to this project. There’s a sort of disconnect which we’re lucky not to have; our fans raised £45k for the tifo at Wembley today. This game simply means a lot, lot more to us.”
LS: “It’s an easy trope to point to the empty seats at the Etihad. Most match-going City fans I know aren’t disillusioned with the footballing project, but they are when it comes to the club’s approach to ticketing; fan protests at the Etihad last month ultimately led to a price freeze. Also bear in mind this will be our 31st trip to Wembley since 2011. It’s a very expensive day out!”
Palace have the entire country on their side today, with the exception of Manchester City fans, and this isn’t hatred of Manchester City, I love watching Pep’s team, but a change in the winner is what we all want, and need.
Even some of the City fans, it seems, would not be entirely averse to a Palace victory:
“As a Man City fan I do not really mind if Crystal Palace win,” emails John Rudd. “It’s getting increasingly harder to celebrate victory as a Cityzen. With our ownership and now all these charges. Every victory seems hollow. It’s hard to explain, I love my team and smile when we win but it seems like it could all be taken away very shortly. Now Kevin is on the way out. What does the future hold for our club?”
Question two. Why should neutrals back your club?
LS: “I can’t pretend any neutral will want City to win – maybe just the clubs chasing Conference League qualification. There’s no point in me trying to convince anyone.”
Fair answer, very fair.
CW: “Have to agree … no football fan I’ve spoken to in the buildup wants City to win given their recent history (though I guess I don’t speak to many Brighton or Millwall fans). But it’s no real choice for neutrals: we’ve never won a trophy, and Palace winning this would be a massive boost to the vast majority whose clubs aren’t funded by nation states. It’d mean the world; entering European competition off the back of it would be the cherry on top.”
First question: How are you feeling about the final?
Llloyd Scragg: “Not too confident to be honest … Our draw against Southampton, who had two clean sheets in 47 games, said it all about our inconsistency. This is a much more dysfunctional, passive team than we’ve seen before under Guardiola. Lately he’s leaned into playing the “uncs” (KDB, Gundo, Bernardo, Kovacic) again, who most fans blamed for the winter struggles – but there has been an improvement. We’re all just a bit nervous about his selections.”
Chris Waters: “For us it’s just huge excitement. We had a couple of recent thrashings, but the way we destroyed both Villa and Spurs has given us hope. We’re obvious underdogs, but we do have match winners; if City go gung-ho there’s a chance. We were millmetres from being 3-0 up at the Etihad in April before we lost our heads. Glasner won’t make that tactical mistake again.”
And for Palace: Chris Waters, 50, @clapham_grand over on X.
First match attended? “Our 3-1 Coca-Cola Cup quarter-final win over Chelsea in 1993. The Selhurst mud played a key part.”
Best match attended: “The poogate play-off semi-final win over Brighton in 2013. Magical.”
Let’s step it up a gear. We’ve had a chat with a Manchester City fan and a Crystal Palace fan to gauge how they are feeling about today’s big match.
Stepping up for City is Lloyd Scragg, 30, who you can find on X @lloyd_scragg or at 9320pod.com.
First match Lloyd attended? “City 2-0 Blackburn at Maine Road in 1999. Richard Edgehill and Jeff Whitley scored for us. Heritage.”
Best match attended? “City 3-2 QPR in 2012. I think that one speaks for itself.”
