Crystal Palace star Dean Henderson got involved in a fiery confrontation with Pep Guardiola after his penalty heroics against Manchester City.
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Henderson saved penalty in Palace victoryWas later booked for time-wastingGuardiola snubbed him for a handshakeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Eagles stunned Guardiola by beating City 1-0 at Wembley Stadium, which delivered the first major silverware in Palace’s 164-year existence. Henderson was instrumental in the triumph, producing a series of stunning stops, including a vital penalty save that etched his name into FA Cup history.
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Following the final whistle, tensions briefly flared on the pitch as Henderson approached Guardiola to offer a handshake. The City manager refused the gesture and instead responded with a pointed finger-wag and a few sharp words. The incident, captured by television cameras, underscored the frustration bubbling beneath the surface for the City bench after missing out on yet another silverware in what has been a disappointing campaign.
WHAT HENDERSON & GUARDIOLA SAID
Speaking to after the game, Henderson said: "I just went to shake his hand, but obviously I think he was disappointed with the time-wasting. I said: 'You got your ten minutes,' so no hard feelings."
Meanwhile, Guardiola said: "He defended his position, we defended our position. It's time-wasting. I understand in the last minutes, but since the one or two minutes? He's British, in English football, you have to play.
"I'm sorry. Everyone can do whatever they want. We have to score goals. We didn't lose because Henderson was time-wasting. In the last minutes, I understand [time-wasting]. They gave us nine or 10 minutes extra time, but it's a question of rhythm. All the fans are there to let the 22 players play, play, play, play. So, when you see Barcelona now, they're losing, attack, attack, attack, attack, and the other team attack, attack. The show is beautiful.
"But I understand his position. It's a question of the referee, not a question of mine.
"Because we don't have the rhythm that you need again, again, again. I understand when it's 92 minutes, 86, 87, you know. But I don't feel it."
DID YOU KNOW?
Henderson’s night wasn’t without controversy. Early in the match, the goalkeeper appeared to have handled the ball outside the penalty area while attempting to prevent Erling Haaland from latching onto a through pass. The incident triggered a VAR review, sparking fears of a potential red card. Ultimately, officials concluded that the infringement did not deny an obvious goal-scoring chance, allowing Henderson to stay on the pitch, a decision that City fans and Guardiola may still be fuming about.
"I didn't know it was for me in all honesty," Henderson said. "I knew the ball had come into the box so I wasn't sure what they were doing it for. Then I asked Chilly [Ben Chilwell] down the side what they were doing it for, he said for me, but who cares? Doesn't matter."