Pep Guardiola Reveals Why Haaland Gave Up Penalty and Dean Henderson Controversy After FA Cup Final Defeat
The Manchester City manager breaks his silence on the surprising penalty taker switch and brushes off questions about Dean Henderson's handball drama.
Pep Guardiola has revealed he had no say in Manchester City’s surprise decision to let Omar Marmoush take a crucial first-half penalty in their shock FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace — a decision that proved costly.
City, trailing 1-0 at Wembley after Eberechi Eze’s 16th-minute opener, were handed a golden chance to equalise before the break when Bernardo Silva was brought down in the box by Tyrick Mitchell. As expected, Erling Haaland — City’s designated penalty taker — picked up the ball. But in a surprise twist, the Norwegian handed it to Marmoush, who had never taken a spot-kick for the club.
The Egyptian forward’s tame low strike was comfortably saved by Dean Henderson, who went on to play the hero, pulling off more crucial stops — despite escaping a red card earlier in the half for what many believe was a blatant handball outside his box under pressure from Haaland.
Asked post-match about why Marmoush took the penalty, Guardiola gave a brief and telling response: “I don’t know, I didn’t speak to them. They made a decision. They decide.” The admission raised more questions than answers — especially with Haaland’s proven penalty record and City in desperate need of a goal.
Guardiola also brushed aside the controversy surrounding Henderson’s handball, telling reporters: “Ask the referee.” As for his heated exchange with Henderson at full-time, he simply responded: “Nothing.”
Meanwhile, pundits and fans were far from calm.
Wayne Rooney, speaking on BBC Sport, was fuming over the non-red card: “It’s 100 per cent a red card. Haaland’s about to knock it around him. No debate. It’s outside. Just get rid of VAR. They’ve made a mistake and now they’re trying to cover up.”
Ian Wright was similarly incensed on ITV: “How they can say this isn’t a goalscoring opportunity — it’s absolutely pathetic. He’ll knock it past him and tap it into an empty net. It’s all rubbish.”
Even Henderson’s own post-match remarks sparked backlash. “The ball carried into my box and I knew it was fine — who cares?” he quipped, brushing off the incident.
City fans certainly did care, as the frustration over the referee’s call — and the failed penalty decision — overshadowed the match.
The 1-0 defeat meant Palace lifted the FA Cup in dramatic fashion, while Guardiola’s men were left ruing their decisions, missed chances, and one that got away.
