Man City faced Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium and a Man Utd graduate had a key role to play.
The 28-year-old was at the heart of two of the most controversial moments in the match as Pep Guardiola’s side went in a goal down at half-time of the match. City dominated most of the clash but fell behind when a rare Crystal Palace attack ended with a smart finish from star striker Eberechi Eze.
City could have no complaints about the manner of the opening goal, but there was fury from the Blues’ bench at what happened next. Palace goalkeeper looked certain to be sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring chance when he handled the ball outside of the box, but he remained on the pitch after a lengthy VAR check.
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There was even more controversy before the half-time whistle when Henderson saved an Omar Marmoush penalty at a time when many felt he should not have been on the pitch. Palace could have no complaints when defender Tyrick Mitchell fouled Bernardo Silva in the box, though the rash foul was reprieved through Henderson’s heroics.
Manchester United fans will love what Henderson did vs Man City
It has been a season of huge disappointment for Manchester United fans, but they will take great pleasure from watching their noisy neighbours fall behind at Wembley Stadium. The match has been made even sweeter because it is a former academy graduate who played a key role in Crystal Palace holding a half-time lead.
Henderson joined the United academy aged 14, having spent six years at Carlisle United and made 29 competitive appearances for the first-team squad before he was sold to Crystal Palace in a deal worth £20 million two years ago.
Alan Shearer, who worked as a pundit for the BBC during the FA Cup final, heaped the praise on the shot-stopper for his heroic first-half penalty save. “What a save that is,” he said on commentary of the match. “Dean Henderson doesn't fall for the bluff. He is in control the goalkeeper. A big strong hand to keep it out. Then he gets up quickly again.”
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