Manchester United have been crowned the 2015/2016 FA Cup champions after a 2-1 extra time win over Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
It was a game the Red Devils dominated from the first minute with ample chances created.
There was a controversial moment in the 18th minute, when Chris Smalling dragged down the Eagles striker, Connor Wickham, on the counter.
Wickham got back on the ball, and moved in on the open goal, but referee Mark Clattenburg had stopped play to give the free-kick rather than playing advantage, which would have given Crystal Palace a chance to net the first goal of the game.
Manchester United midfielder, Juan Mata, forced a wonderful save from Wayne Hennessey in the 22nd minute.
Both teams went on a break, with score still goalless, and in the second half, United continued to dominate the game with great chances.
Marcus Rashford set up his teammate, Marounne Fellaini, in the Eagles box seven minutes into the second half, and the Belgian pumped a shot on goal that cannoned off the corner of the post.
Antonio Valencia whipped in a wonderful cross to Anthony Martial, but the Frenchman’s headed effort hit the woodwork.
Crystal Palace, however, sparked up a tense final minutes at Wembley with a 78th minute Jason Puncheon’s strike.
The 29-year-old collected a long ball from Joel Ward, and fired it past David De Gea from point blank range, causing Palace coach, Alan Pardew, to do a little dance.
United responded with a quick goal from Mata after captain Wayne Rooney dribbled in from deep to send the ball across the face of goal. Fellaini chested the ball down leaving the Spaniard to rifled it through the legs of Ward, wrong-footing Hennessey as it travelled into the back of the net.
The game stretched into extra-time, and Jesse Lingard slammed home the winning goal to give Louis van Gaal his first trophy at Old Trafford.
This is United’s first FA Cup since 2004, and their 12th FA Cup triumph, which levels dethroned champions, Arsenal.
