Manchester City ended their season without silverware for the first time since 2017, following [a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace](https://fromthespot.co.uk/19654/crystal-palace-1-0-manchester-city-eze-seals-historic-fa-cup-win-at-wembley/) in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. Pep Guardiola kept his cards close to his chest when asked about a controversial first-half moment, in which Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson appeared to handle the ball outside the box but avoided a red card.
_“Ask the referee,”_ Guardiola said tersely when questioned about the incident.
Dean Henderson was a standout performer for Palace, making several key saves to preserve their lead. However, Pep Guardiola dismissed any suggestions of time-wasting from the goalkeeper, instead pointing to his team’s shortcomings in front of goal.
_“He defends his position, and we defend our position. In the last few minutes, everyone can do whatever they want, but we must score goals.”_
_“We didn’t lose because Henderson was time-wasting. In the last minute, I understand that. But after it’s true, they give them nine or ten minutes extra time, so it’s that. But it’s a question of rhythm, you know, it’s not fair to let 22 players play, play, play.”_
On Omar Marmoush stepping up to take the penalty instead of Erling Haaland, the City boss added: _“They decided on the pitch.”_
Claudio Echeverri made his club debut in the FA Cup final, and Guardiola was pleased with the 19-year-old’s performance on such a big stage.
_“I want to be honest. It was not a bad decision. The way he played, and the chances that he had. He had three chances in small spaces. I thought that I knew he was special because I saw him in the training sessions. He was in the FA Cup final.”_