Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola attributed Dean Henderson’s “time writing” to the FA Cup final in 2025 in part to the goalkeeper is British – and said the decision for Omar Marmoush was given to the Cityzens penalty during their 1-0 defeat between the newcomer and the regular Taker Erling Haaland.
Henderson, who diverted the kick from Marmoush’s first half shortly after having had the chance to avoid a red card to handle the ball outside his penalty surface, made a series of beautiful stops before seeming to engage in a verbal disagreement with Guardiola after the full-time whistle in the first triumph of the palace.
“Listen, he defends his position and we defend our position,” said Guardiola, who will finish a season without a major trophy for the first time since his first campaign at the club in 2016/17. “He is British. I’m sorry – everyone can do what they want.
“”[Players] decide [who will take penalties] on the ground. I didn’t tell them. This moment is [about] How they feel. They saw that Omar was ready to take it. I think Omar took a long time with the ball … The goalkeeper made a good stop. »»
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Final FA CUP 2025: Guardiola congratulates the palace
Haaland, who missed three of his seven penalties in all competitions in 2024/25, including one in Bournemouth in the quarterfinals, seemed to decide to seize the opportunity, kissing the ball and the head of Marmoush by giving the opportunity to the Egyptian striker.
Although it was not clear if City had arranged before the match so that Haaland withdraws from the tasks, there seemed to be less confusion on the indiscretion of Henderson when he had put the ball off the beaten track to prevent the double winner of Boot Gold of Premier League, but an examination of the video assistant (Var) did not end with the action.
“Do not ask me questions about the Var or the referee [Stuart Attwell]”Said Guardiola.” We haven’t lost because Henderson is time.
“It’s a question of rhythm. All fans are there to see the 22 players play. When you see Barcelona now, they are “attacking, attacking, attacking, attacking” and the other team is [too]. It’s beautiful.
This exchange between Pep Guardiola and Dean Henderson 👀#Facup pic.twitter.com/jaxxmygnprpr
– BBC Sport (@bbcsport) May 17, 2025
“But I understand Henderson’s position – that’s a question for the referee. I understand when it is [late]. But I don’t feel it. My team plays the game as people deserve to watch.
“By saying this, congratulations to Henderson and Crystal Palace, because they defended very well very well at the end and were able to score a goal.”
Crystal Palace vs Man City
In a final full of action, City – the dominant English football team between 2017 and 2024, entering their third consecutive final of the FA Cup – began with an abundance of possession and shots on goal, Haaland among the players refused by excellent Henderson stops.
Palace spent a large part of the pressure game, but marked with its first significant attack when Ebelechi Eze drew in the first time from the interior of the 16th minute box, meeting the crossing of Daniel Munoz with a fierce right finish beyond Ederson for his sixth goal in five appearances.
Guardiola used Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva as a midfielder in a holding company because Mateo Kovacic “did not feel well” and said that City had “played a lot, much better” than they did during their 5-2 home victory against Palace in the Premier League last month and their 2-1 defeat against Manchester United in last year.
Saved by Henderson 🚫
Omar Marmoush lacks the place ❌#Facup pic.twitter.com/pfvbowkw6v
– BBC Sport (@bbcsport) May 17, 2025
“We have not suffered properly on the defensive,” he added. “We couldn’t find [De Bruyne] in the positions we wanted. The match plan did not work because we did not win.
“Against Southampton [in a 0-0 draw last Saturday]I had a bad feeling, but today I did not do it.
“Of course, we are sad … With the anthem, the stadium and the crowd, it’s a beautiful and beautiful day.”
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City finished with more than 78% of the possession, six of the eight target attempts between the teams and 23 of the 30 efforts in all, although Palace was able to score a second when Munoz’s goal in the second half was excluded because Ismaila Sarr was offside.
There was a feeling of despair for the introduction of the 19 -year -old beginner Claudio Echeverri Instead of Marmoush, 14 minutes from time, although Argentina Youth International was one of the many players to block the blows inside the box during the closing stadiums.
“My inspiration”, smiled Guardiola when he was asked about the surprise introduction of Echeveri. “I am a talented manager.
“I want to be honest, it was not a bad decision with the way he played and the chances he had. He had three chances in small spaces.
“I saw him in training sessions. It really moves, really good in small spaces and is really creative in there. You have to find something in these types of games, dribble and find uni-Twos.
“Crystal Palace Love [defending] cross. It is normally so intelligent and precise. We had the chance, but unfortunately, we could not score. »»
