'You know how you have to stay professional? I couldn't!'
Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison says he struggled to "stay professional" at Wembley as Palace held their nerve to lift the FA Cup.
Morrison, who was commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live for the game, told the Football Daily podcast "it is bonkers" that the South London club are going to be playing European football.
"Everyone thought Manchester City were favourites but Palace always had a glimmer of hope because of the attacking players they have as well as a great manager in Oliver Glasner," said Morrison.
"The message is to take the cup seriously because that is what Glasner has done since the very first round. He has put out a strong team in every game.
"I was in the commentary box, and you know how you have to stay professional? I couldn't! Crystal Palace are going to be playing Europa League football.
"It is bonkers! I never thought I would see that in my lifetime."
Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win Nations League
Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. "Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today," Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, told RTL. "When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat." After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was "equal". "We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you," he said. - Portugal equalise twice - While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals -- against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup. Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over. Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch. dwi/pb
Associated Press
17 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first Black referee, dies at 65
SHEFFIELD, England (AP) — Uriah Rennie, the first Black referee in the Premier League, has died. He was 65. 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie,' the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association posted Sunday on X. 'Uriah made history as the Premier League's first Black referee, officiating over 300 top-flight matches between 1997 and 2008,' the statement said. 'He broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come.' The Jamaica-born official grew up in Sheffield, northern England, and oversaw hundreds of matches starting with his breakthrough appointment when Derby hosted Wimbledon in August 1997. That game was abandoned, however, because the stadium lighting failed. Rennie told BBC News in April how, while on holiday in Turkey last year, he felt severe pain in his back and doctors discovered he had an inoperable neurological condition that confined him to a wheelchair. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal win second UEFA Nations League title, beats Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal earned their UEFA Nations League title, following a victory over Spain in Germany on Sunday. Ronaldo was in tears after his team won 5-3 on penalties. Ronaldo's 138th international goal scored in the 61st minute helped even the score at 2 and force a draw, which was settled in the penalty shootout. Ronaldo left the game in the 88th minute, shortly before regulation concluded, due to an apparent injury. He was subbed out for Gonçalo Ramos. Advertisement Ruben Neves scored the winning kick during a shootout after Alvaro Morata had missed a costly attempt for Spain. Martin Zubimendi scored the game's opening goal to give Spain the 1-0 lead in the 21st minute of the game. Nuno Mendes helped Portugal answer quickly, scoring in the 26th minute off an assist from Pedro Neto. Spain held a 2-1 lead at halftime after Mikel Oyarzabal added a goal off an assist from Pedri. Cristiano Ronaldo kisses the UEFA Nations League trophy as he celebrates with teammates. For Portugal, the victory represented its second UEFA Nations League final victory. Ronaldo won the first UEFA Nations League final in 2019 over the Netherlands, 1-0, on a goal from Gonçalo Guedes. France (2021) and Spain (2023) also have won UEFA Nations League titles. Portugal vs. Spain UEFA Nations League final highlights The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal win second UEFA Nations League title
