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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.
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.
I’m not sure why everyone is making City strong favourites, when they can’t score and are so vulnerable to the fast counterattacks that Palace are so good at. City will probably play with attacking midfielders at full back, and have already been ripped apart on the wings by Palace twice this season.
This could go either way. I hope it’s a cracker.
Will comments be open early on Wednesday AM so people can bombard the unfortunate whoever is manning the keyboard with how in heck did the two finalists get this far?
Very sad news about Brian Glanville passing. One of the best football journalists ever.
Jamie Jackson
The measure of Manchester City’s class is that they have a chance of claiming the FA Cup in Saturday’s Wembley showpiece despite a troubled campaign featuring serial injury, an insipid title defence, Champions League playoff-stage elimination by Real Madrid and the mid-season departure of the captain, Kyle Walker, on loan.
Oliver Glasner’s in-form Crystal Palace, who have lost two of their past 14 games, are in their way but Pep Guardiola’s garlanded team are favourites; the wounded, deposed champions intent on not ending a season empty-handed for the first time since his opening 2016-17 term.
“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!”
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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
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😂
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.
Kai Havertz, it seems, has been “destroying metrics” in the Arsenal gym.
Jacob Steinberg reports on the forward’s rehabilitation from a hamstring injury:
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.)
And here’s a still from the BBC coverage in 1988, featuring the late Princess Diana handing the trophy to Wimbledon’s Dave Beasant.
Two matches took place in His Majesty’s Premier League last night.
First, Aston Villa beat Tottenham in what it appears may have been Emiliano Martínez’s final match at Villa Park. Ben Fisher was there:
Kicking off a little later, Chelsea and Manchester United played out a largely dreary affair at Stamford Bridge: Marc Cucurella’s second-half header proved the difference in what may be a crucial result in the Blues’ attempt to qualify in for next season’s Champions League. Ben Bloom was on the scene:
Comments are open so please bombard me with your thoughts, including questions for Barney Ronay.
Alternatively you can email our matchday live address.
Jamie Jackson
Pep Guardiola has taken a swipe at the Premier League for scheduling Manchester City’s penultimate fixture of the season, against Bournemouth on Tuesday, 72 hours after today’s FA Cup final meeting with Crystal Palace.
Preamble
The FA Cup is back.
True, it never went away, but it just feels bigger this season. The reasons for that may be numerous and we need not be concerned with them now. All that matters is that in several hours Crystal Palace and Manchester City will stride on to the Wembley turf to contest one of the more eagerly-awaited finals of recent years.
This blog, your one-stop shop for all the buildup, will run until 4pm, otherwise known as half an hour before kick-off. We’ve got plenty to get through including a Q and A with Barney Ronay at Wembley. (Post your questions for Barney in the comments at your leisure, and he’ll be here to answer them at around 2.30pm.)
There are also league games in Scotland and Germany that we’ll be keeping on top of, bringing you the big moments, as well as the League Two playoff semi-final between AFC Wimbledon and Notts County (12.30pm KO BST).
Team news, all the buildup and completely over-the-top hype will be coming thick and fast so sit back, relax, and let the football commence.
Men’s FA Cup final kick-off time: 4.30pm BST
