FA Cup final buildup to Crystal Palace v Manchester City - matchday live

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12m ago 04.31 EDT Ed Aarons Crystal Palace supporters will be hoping it’s not a bad omen. Oliver Glasner usually enjoys a post-press conference pastry and even mentioned his penchant for the danishes on display at the club’s training ground in Beckenham on Friday as he prepared to face Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Asked whether he was feeling nervous about the game, the Austrian said his mind was on his stomach. “No, I’m looking forward to my pastry,” he said. “I’ve been answering so many questions.” Glasner was reassured that two remained, and then revealed his intention to wear a suit for the buildup at Wembley before changing into the lucky black jumper he has worn for the past five matches since Palace were thrashed 5-0 by Newcastle last month. They have remained unbeaten in all five, including the semi-final win over Aston Villa at Wembley. “After winning a trophy I change my outfit so I hope that it’s the last game for the jumper,” said Glasner, who led Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League in 2022. There was panic among the Palace staff as the press conference finished and they realised there were no pastries left. One staff member even tried to find a quick replacement, but it was too late. Nobody admitted to taking the last one despite Glasner’s attempts to find the culprit. “I will have one later,” he said. View image in fullscreen Oliver Glasner missed out on his usual Friday press conference pastry. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian Share Updated at 04.35 EDT

18m ago 04.26 EDT Only two weeks to go. That’s the mantra. Two more weeks to endure the familiar trauma of logging on to the fantasy football app, picking a team, celebrating the wise decisions that have led you to create an unbeatable unit, watching the weekend’s football disabuse you of this notion, then repeating the whole thing again. It’s supposed to be a game, but Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is more like a lifestyle. Or a second job. Or even exactly like being a professional footballer: the focus, determination and relentless commitment should really be rewarded with a weekly salary, preferably in the five figures. But no, instead we have to make do with a brief appearance of a green arrow next to our team name or, more likely, a red one. Fantasy Premier League: a compelling refuge of fatalism and black humour | Paul MacInnes Read more Share

22m ago 04.22 EDT As for Wharton, I was at the recent Palace v Forest Premier League encounter, and his reading of the game and accuracy/speed of pass was extremely impressive. Certainly it would have been much harder to envisage a Palace win had that ankle knock kept him out of the final. Share Updated at 04.23 EDT

30m ago 04.14 EDT “The nerves really ramped up yesterday,” writes Palace fan Simon Livingstone. “Hearing the news that Wharton is fit is a big relief and having him in the team gives us a fighting chance. “We need to take our chances, have some luck, and defend well. This Palace team is the best we’ve had since the 90s, or better! Getting a ticket was tough, but I’m glad I’m going, it’s going to be a great day. Come on Palace!” View image in fullscreen Oliver Glasner (left) with Adam Wharton. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Share

39m ago 04.05 EDT Jonathan Liew Chat over. Will Hughes strolls across the car park to get some photographs taken. As it happens, the man emerging from the gym at that very moment is the Crystal Palace midfield partner whose praises Hughes has just been lavishly exalting. “Just added about £20m to your fee in that interview,” Hughes shouts at Adam Wharton as they pass. “You can have half,” Wharton retorts. All delivered with a knowing smile, for this is the Palace of Oliver Glasner, where – as Hughes puts it – “there’s egos, but good egos”. No arrogance, none of the blame culture he sees elsewhere. “You watch other teams and hands are in the air, there’s moaning,” he says. “But I honestly don’t see any of that here.” Will Hughes: ‘I don’t like the limelight … you’ve got to remember the priority is football’ Read more View image in fullscreen Will Hughes of Crystal Palace. Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian Share Updated at 04.06 EDT

43m ago 04.00 EDT Sad news from the world of sports journalism: Brian Glanville, the legendary football writer, has died at the age of 93. Sincere condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues. Share

47m ago 03.56 EDT “I am a City fan, going to support my team today,” writes Will. “However I now live in Croydon and have many Palace supporting friends. “This sees me having a huge soft spot for Palace and any other opponent I would be rooting for them to win. I have a sneaking feeling they will. “Their marvellous front three scare me to death, especially Eze, who I think is better than any City attacker on current form. I’d love him at City.” View image in fullscreen Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace (left) celebrates the semi-final win against Villa. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Share

50m ago 03.53 EDT Selected comments from below the line. Adam Wharton is such a cool player. He never seems to run but provides this central stability I desperately wish we had at Man Utd. Combined with this knack of receiving the ball and immediately making a progressive pass gives him a set of abilities rare in the P L. oldbutfit 17 May 2025 8:36am Look, I know it doesn’t work this way but … I’m 64, I had a triple bypass in January, I was there with 50 000 fans in 1979 when we first reached the top level. Saw us lose to United twice in previous cup finals, and I’ve been a fan for 53 years. Don’t I deserve us to lift the cup this year? Don’t I? Ah well, ok, understood, but hey, it’s a great day out anyway and let’s hope it’s a classic .cos I’m going to miss most of Eurovision for this😂 Palace2020 17 May 2025 8:30am The big question for me today is whether I go to cheer on Palace down the pub or hide behind the sofa like I did for the semi-final. godlikegenius 17 May 2025 8:25am Share

1h ago 03.39 EDT Stephen Yoxall has been in touch: “Annual moan that the BBC coverage doesn’t start at 10am and last all day like it did in my day.” I hear you Stephen. Here are some happy Hammers in 1980 just for good measure. (They beat Arsenal 1-0 that year with Trevor Brooking scoring the only goal in the final.) View image in fullscreen West Ham United fans celebrate winning the FA Cup. Photograph: Eamonn McCabe/The Guardian And here’s a still from the BBC coverage in 1988, featuring the late Princess Diana handing the trophy to Wimbledon’s Dave Beasant. View image in fullscreen FA Cup Final 1988: BBC coverage. Photograph: BBC Share Updated at 03.45 EDT

1h ago 03.18 EDT Comments are open so please bombard me with your thoughts, including questions for Barney Ronay. Alternatively you can email our matchday live address. Share Updated at 03.19 EDT

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