Crystal Palace’s historic 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final was marred by the absence of two key players, Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton, who were rushed to hospital following injuries sustained during the match.
Captain Marc Guehi suffered a blow to the eye in the second half, raising concerns about a potential fractured eye socket. Despite the injury, he led his team up the Wembley steps to lift the trophy. Post-match, Guehi was taken to hospital, where tests revealed severe bruising but no fracture. He was discharged around midnight, missing the team’s celebration party at Boxpark near Wembley Stadium. Guehi is expected to be available for England’s upcoming fixtures against Andorra and Senegal on 7 and 10 June.
Midfielder Adam Wharton was also hospitalized after being struck on the back of the head by a powerful shot from Kevin De Bruyne. He underwent concussion checks and later shared a photo from his hospital bed on Instagram, humorously captioned, “Apparently we won the FA Cup. Eaglessssssssss.”
While their teammates celebrated the club’s first major trophy, Guehi and Wharton’s absence was felt. The victory secured Crystal Palace a spot in the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League and a place in the FA Community Shield against Premier League winners Liverpool.
The team’s triumph was highlighted by Eberechi Eze’s early goal and goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s crucial penalty save. Despite the injuries, the match remains a landmark achievement in Crystal Palace’s history.