Premier League and FA Cup final: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

As Alan Shearer excitedly proclaimed after Crystal Palace’s FA Cup victory on Saturday: “2025 is the year of the underdog.” Certainly, the Eagles breaking their trophy duck amid jubilant scenes at Wembley and the rise of Nottingham Forest towards the Champions League spots show there is joy to be found by the Premier League’s middle classes. See also: the free-flowing football Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth have showcased this season. Yet Forest could end up in seventh if results go against them next weekend, the three promoted teams all went straight back down, and Manchester City’s annus horribilis will probably see the serial title winners finish way down in … third. At the summit, Liverpool hardly represent against-all-odds champions, with their worldwide fanbase and rich history, and the minor European pots are set to be scooped by big-budget Premier League behemoths. Chelsea have romped to the Conference League final with an expensively assembled B team while Manchester United and Tottenham have seen off low-budget hipster favourites such as Bodø/Glimt and Athletic Club to contest the Europa League final. Everyone loves an underdog, but Palace could end up being an exception, not a rule. DB