Crystal Palace stunned Manchester City on Saturday (Sunday AEST) to win the FA Cup for the first time as Eberechi Eze sealed a 1-0 victory that piled on the misery for Pep Guardiola’s troubled side.
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Eze’s early strike rocked City before Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saved Omar Marmoush’s penalty late in the first half of a dramatic final at Wembley.
While Eze’s clinical finish was the culmination of his remarkable rise from rejection by Arsenal, Fulham and Millwall as a youngster, it was Henderson who emerged as Palace’s hero with a series of superb saves.
City will protest that Henderson should have been sent off for a first-half handball outside his penalty area.
But Henderson, who was angrily confronted by Guardiola after full-time, made the most of that controversial moment to ensure Palace clinched the first major trophy in their 120-year history and a place in next season’s Europa League.
“To be honest I can’t really believe it. I think when you play this game 10 times, you win it once, and this happened today,” Palace boss Oliver Glasner said.
“The goal was the first time we were in their half and then we just defended with every single part of the body.”
Beaten by Manchester United in their previous FA Cup final appearances in 1990 and 2016, Palace’s shock win was no more than they deserved as City once again imploded in a dismal season that will be their first without major silverware since 2016-17.
“We did everything but if you’re not going to score goals, you’re not going to win,” Guardiola said.
“We performed really well. Football is like this sometimes.”
On the Henderson controversy, Guardiola would only add: “Ask the referee.”
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson clashes with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola after full-time in the FA Cup final, then lifts the fabled trophy.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson clashes with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola after full-time in the FA Cup final, then lifts the fabled trophy.Source: Getty Images
After winning the Premier League in the previous four seasons, City have endured a turbulent campaign that ranks among the worst in Guardiola’s storied managerial career.
Currently sixth in the Premier League, City host Bournemouth on Tuesday and travel to Fulham on May 25 as they try to salvage their wretched year by at least qualifying for the Champions League.
Adding a final insult to a sorry day, Guardiola was abused by a fan as he exited the Wembley arena, branded a “bald rat” by an apparent Liverpool supporter.
Not for the first time, Guardiola sprang a surprise with his selection for a final as he picked an ultra-attacking line-up with no holding midfielder.
However, Guardiola’s habit of tinkering with his tactics for finals has backfired in the past.
Asked about City’s line-up just before kick-off, Guardiola said he was putting his faith in “talent”, but Glasner had spotted an opening, saying: “When you have so many attacking players it could give you an opportunity in transitions.”
Erling Haaland nearly gave City the perfect start when he stretched to meet Kevin De Bruyne’s cross with a volley that forced a scrambled save from Henderson.
Josko Gvardiol’s towering header from Savinho’s corner was smartly repelled by Henderson.
But Glasner’s clever decision to set up Palace deep inside their own half had lured City in for the sucker punch.
Eze delivered the knockout blow from Palace’s first attack in the 16th minute as Glasner’s men launched a brilliant break from their penalty area.
Jean-Philippe Mateta held up Chris Richards’ long pass and laid it off to Daniel Munoz, who surged down the right flank before crossing towards Eze, who guided a superb volley past Stefan Ortega from 12 yards.
Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace poses with the FA Cup trophy.
Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace poses with the FA Cup trophy.Source: Getty Images
City were furious when Henderson escaped a red card when VAR checked his handball, which appeared to take place outside the area, after the ‘keeper rushed out to challenge Haaland.
VAR said it was “not an obvious goal-scoring opportunity” but it proved crucial as Henderson rescued Palace in the 35th minute.
Tyrick Mitchell conceded the penalty with a needless foul on Bernardo Silva as the City midfielder ran away from goal.
Instead of Haaland taking the spot-kick, it was Marmoush who stepped up after the Norway star gave him the ball in a disastrous move as Henderson plunged to his right to keep out the Egyptian’s strike.
Henderson was in inspired form and he denied City again, clawing away a Jeremy Doku strike that appeared destined for the top corner.
Defending tirelessly, Palace were indebted to Henderson, who made two more brilliant saves from Claudio Echeverri to cap a chastening afternoon for Guardiola.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saves a penalty shot from Manchester City's Omar Marmoush.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saves a penalty shot from Manchester City's Omar Marmoush.Source: AFP
GUARDIOLA ANGRILY CONFRONTS GOALKEEPER
Pep Guardiola admitted his post-match clash with Dean Henderson was fuelled by frustration at the Crystal Palace goalkeeper’s time-wasting during Manchester City’s shock 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
For just the second time in Guardiola’s managerial career he will end the season without a major trophy after a controversial loss capped a miserable season for his side.
Henderson was fortunate to escape a red card for handling outside the penalty area in the first half before he went on to save a penalty from Omar Marmoush at Wembley.
Guardiola pointedly said “don’t ask me, ask the VAR and the referee” when quizzed on the decision not to send off Henderson for denying Erling Haaland a goal-scoring opportunity with his handball.
But, while he kept his emotions relatively under control over that incident, the City boss let rip at Henderson for his constant time-wasting that played a role in 10 minutes of stoppage-time in the second half.
Guardiola appeared to exchange angry words with Henderson on the pitch after the final whistle and was still frustrated in his post-match press conference.
“Listen, he defended his position, we defended our position. I understand in the last minutes, but since the first or second minutes? He’s British, you know, in the English football, you have to play,” Guardiola said.
“I’m sorry, everyone can do whatever they want. We have to score goals. We didn’t lose because Henderson was time-wasting. But it’s a question of rhythm for the players.
“It’s a game for all the fans. So, when you see Barcelona now, they’re losing and it’s attack, attack. And the other team, attack, attack. The show is beautiful.
“I understand Henderson’s position. I don’t feel it. So, my teams have never tried because I try to play the game like the people deserve to watch. That’s all.”
Pep Guardiola approaches a jubilant Dean Henderson to have words.
Pep Guardiola approaches a jubilant Dean Henderson to have words.Source: Getty Images
On the heated discussion with Guardiola, England ‘keeper Henderson added: “I just went to shake his hand but obviously I think he was disappointed with the time-wasting. I said, ‘You got your 10 minutes you were wanting’. No hard feelings.”
City had nearly 80 per cent possession and 23 shots but failed to make it count as they lost a second successive FA Cup final following last season’s defeat against Manchester United.
“We didn’t score, so congratulations Crystal Palace for the victory. They played a good defensive game,” Guardiola said.
“We controlled the transitions apart from the goal. With 11 players in the penalty box for them, we created a lot.
“Every action Palace took time, the goal-kicks, the rhythm, it is difficult to come back. The chances were there but it was difficult to score.
“We were really good in many things. But we didn’t score and that’s why we didn’t win.”
Guardiola confirmed it was not his choice for Marmoush to take the spot-kick over City’s normal taker Haaland.
The Norwegian, who had missed three penalties earlier this season, had the ball in his hands before passing it to Marmoush.
“They decided on the pitch, so I don’t know. I didn’t speak with them,” Guardiola said.
“In that moment it is how you are feeling. They decided Omar would take it. Henderson made a good save.”