Pep Guardiola says he did not dictate who took City’s penalty in Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace.
[KING KEV: Charging forward.
Match Report
City edged out by Crystal Palace in FA Cup final](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/crystal-palace-v-manchester-city-2025-fa-cup-final-report-63883090)
The Blues went down 1-0 to an early Eberechi Eze goal despite dominating much of the ball throughout the afternoon at Wembley.
We created a host of chances, with Omar Marmoush’s 36th minute spot kick perhaps the clearest of them all.
Erling Haaland held on to the ball while VAR checked the referee’s decision for a trip on Bernardo Silva before handing it to Marmoush when the penalty was confirmed.
The Egyptian hit his effort powerfully but saw it stopped by the diving Dean Henderson.
Asked in his post-match press conference who decided that Marmoush should shoot, Guardiola insisted it was worked out between the two forwards on the pitch.
“I didn’t speak with them [Haaland and Marmoush],” he said.
“They take a decision, penalties are like that. I like guys who take initiative and they decide.
“In that moment, it’s how they feel. They decided Omar was ready to take it.
“Omar took a lot of time when the ball was stopped and after he kicked so it put more pressure on him and Henderson made a good save.”
Watch the full press conference at the top of the page...