Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United: Winners and Losers from FA Cup Final

The 2016 FA Cup final was won by Manchester United on Saturday, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 after extra time.

In a first half of few clear sights of goal, Marouane Fellaini missed a close-range header and Juan Mata forced a save at one end, while Connor Wickham had a goal ruled out for Palace at the other as the first 45 minutes ended 0-0. United hit the post twice after the break, but it was Palace who took the lead near the end thanks to Jason Puncheon's hit. Juan Mata equalised two minutes later to force extra time. Chris Smalling was sent off for a second yellow card and Jesse Lingard won it with a thumping hit 10 minutes from the end.

Here are all our biggest winners and losers from the match at Wembley Stadium.

Winner: Joel Ward

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

It won't be too much of a surprise to hear that the main protagonists were defensive players, and Joel Ward was particularly impressive for Palace.

The right-back made a fantastic block in the first half from Anthony Martial's low shot, certainly goal-bound, and did well to lock down the flank for much of the game despite United's repeated attempts to find space in behind.

Big tackles in the box and a succession of clearances saw the full-back have one of his games of the season, and he was unlucky not to block Mata's goal on the line.

Loser: Mark Clattenburg

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

BBC began the lead-up for the match talking about not one of the players, but the referee, with Mark Clattenburg set for a "massive few weeks" as he officiated first the FA Cup final, then the UEFA Champions League final, before then jetting off to participate at UEFA Euro 2016.

Unfortunately the first of those didn't go too well, with a series of blunders from Clattenburg making up most of the half-time analysis.

His decision to call back play for a Crystal Palace free-kick left manager Alan Pardew fuming, with Wickham running through one-vs.-one. Clattenburg repeated the trick shortly before the break, booking Marcos Rojo for a tug back with Joel Ward streaking away down the right flank. It should be noted, Clattenburg was right to send off Chris Smalling for a second yellow card offence.

Winner: Jesse Lingard

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

Manchester United's attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard has made big strides toward becoming a regular first-team addition this season. Whether he goes on to realise his ability as a starter or remains more of a squad option, he will always have one of the greatest days to look back on: an FA Cup final match-winner.

The substitute made a few runs into the box and set up Michael Carrick for a clear chance in extra time as he took advantage of a tired defence and extra spaces, before his instinctive and thunderous volley which found the top corner to win the game.

A cracking end to a very good season on an individual level.

Loser: Alan Pardew

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

At some point Alan Pardew should probably realise that his egotistical tendencies have frequently come back to bite him, and cut them out entirely.

The Palace boss drew criticism from the BBC studios for his goal celebrations—a frankly bizarre dance routine on the touchline—and United equalised less than three minutes later, after he had initially left out Jason Puncheon from the starting XI...who looked most dangerous and scored Palace's goal after coming on as sub.

Palace then failed to either see out the last 10 minutes of normal time to win or go for the jugular in extra time with United down to 10 men. Another chance goes begging for Pardew to pick up the FA Cup and he finishes the season with just six wins from his last 23 games.

Winner: Wayne Rooney

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

It wasn't an all-round vintage performance from Wayne Rooney, but he was one of the hardest working players on the field and made a few impacts on the game at key moments.

Perhaps the most vital one was his bombarding run past four Palace defenders to tee up Mata's eventual equaliser, surging into the box with great effect and clipping over a good cross toward Marouane Fellaini.

Rooney never threatened the goal himself but spread play well from deep, chased back when he gave the ball away in midfield and was generally one of the few pushing United forward to victory.

Follow @karlmatchett