Crystal Palace’s history is packed with unforgettable goals that changed games, seasons and even the club’s trophy cabinet. Each strike below includes where to watch it and what made it special.
Eberechi Eze’s FA Cup Final Winner vs Man City (2025)
Eberechi Eze’s volley in the 2025 FA Cup final is arguably the single most important goal in Crystal Palace history. With City dominating possession, Palace broke from a Jean‑Philippe Mateta turnover; he fed Daniel Muñoz on the right, whose low cross was side‑footed first time by Eze into the far corner for a 1-0 lead that delivered the club’s first major trophy.
- Watch the goal: FA Cup highlight clip and official YouTube replay.
- Tactical analysis: Eze’s strike capped a nine‑touch, 13‑second counter-attack detailed in long-form breakdowns of how Glasner’s side exploited City’s high line.
Alan Pardew’s Extra-Time Header vs Liverpool (1990)
In the 1990 FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park, Alan Pardew scored the extra‑time winner in a 4-3 classic against Liverpool. After Palace had already fought back twice, Pardew arrived late in the box to head in from close range, sending the Eagles to their first FA Cup final and completing one of the competition’s greatest ever semi-finals.
- Watch the goal: FA’s “Classics” package on YouTube – Pardew wins it.
- Why it’s iconic: It avenged the 9-0 Anfield defeat earlier that season and symbolised Palace’s emergence as a top-flight force.
Crystanbul: Dwight Gayle vs Liverpool (2014)
On 5 May 2014, Palace came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Liverpool at Selhurst Park, with Dwight Gayle scoring twice in the last 10 minutes. His second – a first-time finish from Yannick Bolasie’s cut-back – completed “Crystanbul”, wrecking Liverpool’s title challenge and entering Premier League folklore.
- Watch the goals: BBC highlights and full match packages – Palace 3-3 Liverpool.
- Analysis: Breakdowns highlight Palace’s switch to an ultra‑attacking shape, with Gayle’s movement pulling Liverpool’s tired back line apart.
Jason Puncheon vs Manchester United (2016 FA Cup Final)
Jason Puncheon’s 78th‑minute strike in the 2016 FA Cup final briefly looked like it would crown Palace at Wembley. Controlling a deep cross at the back post, he smashed a left‑foot shot high past David de Gea to put Palace 1-0 up before United turned it around in extra time.
- Watch the goal: Featured in FA Cup final highlight packages and “best finals” retrospectives.
- Why it matters: Puncheon, a local Croydon boy, scoring at Wembley for Palace encapsulated the club’s connection with South London – even if the result ultimately ended in heartbreak.
Other Iconic Palace Goals (Quick Hits)
| Goal | Match / Year | Why It’s Iconic | Watch Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Gray’s 88’ header vs Liverpool | FA Cup semi-final 1990 | Made it 3-3 to force extra time before Pardew’s winner. | FA “Classics” highlights |
| Mark Bright volley vs Liverpool | Same semi-final | Thunderous equaliser at start of second half to spark Palace’s comeback. | Included in FA semi-final highlight videos. |
| Eze’s earlier FA Cup screamers | 2024–25 FA Cup run | Long‑range and dribbling goals that built momentum towards the final. | Every Eze FA Cup goal |
| Classic FA Cup rockets | Various | Long-range efforts featured in “best Palace FA Cup goals” compilations. | Best Palace FA Cup goals |
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