‘Best fans in the world' – Heartwarming meaning of Crystal Palace tifo that inspired heroes to FA Cup triumph revealed
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CRYSTAL PALACE were inspired to FA Cup glory by an incredible tifo with a heartwarming meaning.
The Eagles made history on Saturday as they lifted their first-ever trophy with a 1-0 win over Manchester City.
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Crystal Palace were inspired to FA Cup glory by a heartwarming tifo
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The Eagles beat Man City 1-0 to lift their first ever trophy
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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The tifo was inspired by fan Mark Wealleans, who died from cancer in 2017
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In the tifo, Wealleans was celebrating Darren Ambrose's strike against Man Utd in 2011
Credit: AP:Associated Press
Ebere Eze's 16th minute strike was enough to seal glory at Wembley.
While Dean Henderson avoided a red card for handball before saving a penalty moments later.
The game even ended with a clash between Henderson and City boss Pep Guardiola, who was left fuming at full-time,
But there was a major inspiration behind the Eagles' brilliant victory in north west London.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
GUARD UP Henderson reveals what he and Guardiola said to each other in FA Cup final row
Before kick-off, a stunning tifo was unveiled by Palace fans bearing the message: 'Wembley will shake… and it will be beautiful.'
Alongside was an image of a Palace fan celebrating with two children.
And during the match, the club explained the heartwarming reason behind the tifo.
Posting a tweet, which also showed the original picture it was based on, Palace explained all with a caption declaring: 'Best fans in the world.'
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They said: 'After Darren Ambrose's 40 yard screamer against Manchester United in 2011, the cameras panned to the away end and, amidst 3,000 supporters jumping for joy, found an adrenalised red-and-blue clad supporter, Mark Wealleans, screaming with passion while holding up two young Palace lads who — then nine and six-years-old — responded by bursting into tears.
'Tragically, Mark Wealleans, a proud south London and Season Ticket holder, lost his life in February 2017, aged just 49, five months after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Furious Pep Guardiola and Dean Henderson clash on pitch after Crystal Palace's FA Cup triumph
READ MORE ON PALACE'S INCREDIBLE FA CUP TRIUMPH
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Ebere Eze scored the only goal of the game after 16 minutes
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Dean Henderson then avoided a red card for handball
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The ace was clearly outside his box when he stopped Erling Haaland from going through
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Henderson then saved Omar Marmoush's penalty 10 minutes later
'His two kids are in the crowd today continuing the Palace supporting tradition.'
Fans responded with delight to the emotional tribute.
One said: 'Another reason why every other football fan is delighted for Palace.'
Another declared: 'Wow what an honour and gesture, thank you.'
One noted: 'Love that, amazing, congrats Palace.'
Another added: 'Nah this is class, RIP.'
Crystal Palace ratings
CRYSTAL PALACE secured their first ever trophy with a famous FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
The Eagles went into the match as underdogs but managed to nullify the former Treble winners with a spectacular defensive display.
And at the heart of it was goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who could have been sent off for handling the ball outside the box before making the most of his reprieve.
The goalkeeper went on to save a penalty from Omar Marmoush before producing a string of saves to keep Pep Guardiola's men out.
Here's how SunSport's Dan King rated the Crystal Palace players on the most famous day in the club's history.
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Pep Guardiola clashed with Henderson at full time
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The City boss was left fuming at the result
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Guardiola still gave it large as Henderson hugged Oliver Glasner
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Pep waved a finger at Henderson as he walked off
The tifo certainly seemed to do the trick for Palace.
Oliver Glasner's men put in a monstrous defensive effort to keep City at bay, with goalkeeper Henderson putting in several big saves.
But the stopper was lucky to be on the pitch after handling the ball outside his own half.
He was only saved from a red card thanks to a controversial VAR check after swatting the ball away from a goal-bound Erling Haaland.
And the decision proved to be pivotal as Henderson went on to save a penalty from Omar Marmoush just 10 minutes later.
Pep Guardiola was left raging at full-time as he clashed with Henderson, who dedicated Palace's incredible win to his late father.
And it was the goalie who had the last laugh as he joined teammates for a trophy lift they and Palace's fans will never forget.
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