Crystal Palace fans had a lot to celebrate at Wembley on Saturday.
The club etched its name into the history books with an unforgettable performance, leaving supporters in pure euphoria.
From Eberechi Eze dancing joyfully in front of a sea of cheering fans to goalkeeper Dean Henderson being swarmed by teammates after his incredible penalty saves, the energy was electric.
But behind all the cheers and glory, there was a moment of concern that most fans didn’t catch right away — and it involved one of Palace’s brightest young stars, Adam Wharton.
Adam Wharton Took a Blow During the Match and Missed the Celebrations
While the rest of the squad soaked in their historic FA Cup victory, 21-year-old Adam Wharton was quietly being escorted for medical checks.
Late in the game, Wharton took a brutal hit to the head from a powerful Kevin De Bruyne shot.
Though he had been able to walk off the pitch on his own, Palace’s medical team decided not to take any chances and immediately sent him for concussion assessment.
As a result, Wharton missed out on the post-match celebrations that his teammates were relishing.
It was a cruel twist for a player who had put in a tireless performance just minutes before.
Battling Injury to Play the Biggest Game of His Career
Wharton’s appearance at Wembley wasn’t guaranteed leading into the final.
Earlier this month, he had twisted his ankle during a match against Nottingham Forest, forcing him off after an hour.
That injury ruled him out of Palace’s Premier League clash with Tottenham just last weekend.
But there was good news in the lead-up to the final — manager Oliver Glasner confirmed that Wharton had trained fully during the week and would be available.
“It’s positive team news,” Glasner had said with confidence.
And sure enough, the decision to include him in the starting XI proved to be a wise one.
A Performance That Proved His Worth
Wharton, who only joined Palace from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024, has quickly become a key figure in the squad.
Despite being brought in with long-term development in mind, he has cemented himself as a central piece of Glasner’s midfield.
He played a composed and smart game for 87 minutes at Wembley, before being subbed off for Will Hughes.
Even before that, his performances had been top-class — including in the semi-final against Aston Villa, where he intercepted a pass from Youri Tielemans that led to a crucial goal.
Hospital Bed Selfie and Some Good Humour
Although missing the celebrations must have been tough, Wharton later took to Instagram with a smile — and a sense of humour.
Posting a picture from a hospital bed, he wrote, “Apparently we won the FA Cup! EAGLESSSSSSSSSS.”
It was a light-hearted moment that put fans at ease, showing he was doing alright despite the scare.
Top Clubs Are Keeping a Close Eye on Him
Wharton’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. With his strong end-of-season form and vital role in Palace’s FA Cup campaign, major European clubs are starting to take interest.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool have all reportedly been tracking the midfielder.
As Crystal Palace gear up for a Europa League campaign next season, holding on to Wharton will be a top priority — but that might be a challenge with football giants watching closely.