Henderson
Credit: Imago and BBC Sport
Keith Hackett
Sat 17 May 2025 18:30, UK
Keith Hackett has given his verdict on a controversial handball decision in the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City, involving goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Henderson was rightly not sent off, as he did not deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
Palace have never won a major trophy, and are bidding to end their barren streak against the Manchester side at Wembley.
City were beaten 2-1 by rivals Manchester United in last year’s final, and Pep Guardiola has struggled to get the best out of his side this season.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola looking glum
Photo Credit: Imago
Henderson gets away with handball
City transfer target Eberechi Eze put Palace one goal ahead in the 16th minute, latching onto a Daniel Munoz cross to flick past Stefan Ortega.
However, ten minutes later, Erling Haaland broke through on goal, with only Henderson to beat.
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The England international sprinted out to close the City forward down, and punched the ball to the side, thwarting the Norwegian.
Replays showed that Henderson was outside the box when his fist made contact with the ball, but after a VAR check, referee Stuart Attwell restarted the game with no action towards the Palace keeper.
Man City striker Erling Haaland
Haaland was denied by Henderson (Credit: Imago)
Henderson handball decision assessed by Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider whether he felt that Henderson should’ve been dismissed, Hackett said:
“The criteria on the on the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is that the following must be considered.
“The distance between the offence and the goal, the general direction of the play, the likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball and the location and number of defenders present.
“Despite the position of the incident, the general direction of play was away from goal, therefore it did not deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
“However if proven, handling outside of the penalty area should result in a direct free-kick and a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.”
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