TNT Sports
Pep Guardiola frustrated with Dean Henderson decision after Manchester City 'did everything' to win FA Cup v Crystal Palace - 'I'm not the referee!'
By
Published 17/05/2025 at 20:32 GMT+1
Manchester City were frustrated by the decision not to send off Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson for handling the ball outside the penalty area, a feeling exacerbated when Henderson later saved Omar Marmoush's spot kick. Palace won the match and the FA Cup courtesy of Eberechi Eze's goal, and City boss Pep Guardiola was left baffled by the refereeing decision.
De Bruyne will have 'eternal' legacy, says Guardiola
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pep Guardiola appeared baffled by the decision not to send off Dean Henderson as Manchester City lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace on Saturday in the FA Cup final.
Eberechi Eze opened the scoring with the only goal of the game on 16 minutes, a strike that would prove decisive.
However, City had chances to score and dominated possession throughout the game, forcing a number of excellent saves out of Henderson as they pressed for an equaliser.
Henderson’s performance was not without controversy, though, as City felt that the ex-Man Utd gloveman should have seen red for handling the ball outside his area with Erling Haaland closing in.
However, despite a VAR review, Henderson avoided a caution and was cleared of any further punishment.
City’s chagrin was compounded when Henderson produced a brilliant save to deny Omar Marmoush from the spot in the 36th minute, as he maintained a clean sheet.
Guardiola was seen remonstrating with Henderson shortly after the conclusion of the game, but when the City boss spoke to ITV Sport, he explained that he was content with his players’ performance and then offered congratulations to Palace.
He said: "We played really good. We did everything and created chances, but unfortunately, we couldn’t score. They scored with their first transition.
"It’s about goals – they scored one, so congratulations to Crystal Palace."
- 'I’ve spilt a few tears on that pitch – and a wee bit of blood'
- Real Madrid sign Huijsen from Bourmemouth for £50m
- Bradley hungry to 'win more trophies' after signing new Liverpool deal
Asked about the Henderson decision, he said: "I’m not the referee!"
He continued: "It wasn’t just possession. We created chances and chances. They didn’t create much, but they defended really well, really deep, like under Roy Hodgson.
"It didn’t change much in those terms. Yeah, it is what it is."
Watch and stream the Premier League and Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?