UNDERDOGS BITE BACK

JOHN LYONS REPORTS ON A SEASON THAT BROUGHT A NUMBER OF SURPRISE WINNERS

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TRYING to predict football results is always a tricky business. There always seems to be one team that lets you down, one home banker against bottom of the league that goes awry.

But, then again, that's why we love football, isn't it? If it was always predictable, it would be pretty boring. You need those shock results - from time to time at least - to give the game an extra edge, a greater degree of excitement.

Likewise, if the same old teams keep piling up the trophies, it all gets a bit bland. Thankfully, the 2024-25 season had some 'new' recipients who stepped up to the plate to bag some silverware. There were some great underdog and underachiever stories. Here are six of the best:

CRYSTAL PALACE, FA CUP WINNERS

For a club formed 120 years ago, it seems remarkable that Crystal Palace had never won a major domestic honour until this season's FA Cup.

There were a couple of nearly moments in the past, of course. Readers of a certain age will recall that brilliant 3-3 FA Cup final against Manchester United in 1990. Ian Wright came off the bench to score a double but Mark Hughes also netted twice, including an extra-time leveller, to thwart the Eagles, who lost the replay 1-0.

Then came a 2-1 defeat to the Red Devils again in the 2016 final. Jason Puncheon gave Palace a 78th-minute lead and, infamously, inspired boss Alan Pardew to do a dance of delight on the touchline.

However, goals from Juan Mata (81) and sub Jesse Lingard (110) ensured it was United doing jigs of celebration after extra-time.

This time around, it was Palace up against the blue side of Manchester. True, Pep Guardiola's boys were nowhere near their best this season, but they were still favourites to beat Oliver Glasner's troops.

Despite feeding off scraps, the Eagles opened the scoring on 16 minutes when Ebere Eze swept the ball home from Daniel Munoz's cross to cap a superb counter-attack.