Crystal Palace’s stunning FA Cup triumph at Wembley wasn’t just a historic win for the club—it was deeply personal for goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
After years of heartbreak and near misses, Palace finally lifted their first major trophy, and Henderson dedicated that victory to his late father, Dougie Henderson, who passed away last July.
Henderson’s dad wasn’t just any supporter; he coached Dean’s very first amateur team and rarely missed any of his academy games.
“I lost my dad at the start of the season, but he was with me today,” Henderson shared emotionally.
“Every kick I took, I felt him there. This win is for him.”
The Moment That Defined the Final: Henderson’s Heroics and a Controversial Penalty Save
While Eberechi Eze’s goal secured the win on the scoreboard, it was Henderson’s outstanding performance between the sticks that stole the spotlight.
His crucial penalty save from Omar Marmoush in the first half kept Palace in the game and sparked wild celebrations.
However, Manchester City felt the game’s emotions ran high, with City boss Pep Guardiola insisting Henderson should have been sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity by handling the ball outside his box.
Guardiola also expressed frustration over what he perceived as time-wasting from Palace during the match.
Henderson calmly dismissed the red card claims: “The ball carried into my box, so I knew it was fine.
Who cares about all the fuss now?” He also recounted a brief tense moment with Guardiola after the game, saying, “I went to shake his hand, but he seemed disappointed with the time-wasting.
I told him, ‘You got your 10 minutes of stoppage time.’ No hard feelings.”
Guardiola’s Take: Respecting the Game Despite Disagreements
In his post-match comments, Guardiola struck a diplomatic tone, emphasizing fair play but standing by his view. “I don’t tell my teams to waste time,” he said.
“It’s English football, and everyone plays how they want.
We didn’t lose because of that; Palace defended incredibly well.”
He compared the rhythm of English football to the style he’s known for with Barcelona, highlighting the clash between different football cultures.
Still, he praised Palace’s resilience: “Congratulations to Palace and Henderson. They defended brilliantly, and we couldn’t find a goal.”
A Manager’s Dream Come True: Oliver Glasner’s Journey with Palace
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish was full of praise for manager Oliver Glasner, who finally led the team to silverware after finishing runners-up in 2016.
Parish remarked, “We owed the fans a trophy, and we got it for them. This is for everyone who believed in us.”
Glasner himself admitted the hunger to win was stronger than ever.
“I was fed up finishing second, so I came with a different mentality. This trophy means everything.
The players showed unbelievable spirit.”
Tactical Masterclass: Soaking Up Pressure and Waiting for the Right Moment
Palace’s approach was clear—defend stoutly and wait for the right opportunity.
Despite having only 21 percent possession and just two shots on target, Palace’s discipline and patience paid off.
Glasner explained their strategy after the game: “We had to be patient, absorb their pressure, and wait to strike.
After our previous 5-2 defeat, we learned to not give City too much space.
We focused on transition plays and creating overloads.”
He also shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse, mentioning his conversation with the fourth official about stoppage time, “I said eight minutes would be enough, but we were lucky to get ten.”
Fans, Spirit, and The Bigger Picture: What This Win Means for South London
The victory meant more than just a trophy to the club and fans—it was a moment of unity and joy for South London.
Glasner reflected, “We gave part of south London the moment of their lives. Hours and days where they forget their problems.
That’s the biggest achievement sportsmen can have.”
He emphasized the importance of fan support during tough times, saying, “In difficult moments, you need support, not criticism.
Our fans hugged us, and that made all the difference.”
Guardiola on Penalty Decisions and Team Dynamics
When asked about the penalty decision and VAR’s role in not sending off Henderson, Guardiola chose not to comment directly on the officials.
Instead, he turned to the penalty takers, expressing surprise that star striker Erling Haaland didn’t take the first-half spot kick.
“I thought Haaland would want to take it,” Guardiola said.
“But they decided Omar Marmoush was ready.
Omar took a lot of time holding the ball, which increased the pressure on him.”
Looking Ahead: Celebration and Rest for Palace Players
Glasner announced that training on Sunday was canceled to allow his players time to celebrate, with Monday likely to be off too.
“The players never lost belief in me or the coaching staff.
We knew we could achieve something special this season.”
The FA Cup win now marks a turning point for Palace, a club that has shown patience, unity, and resilience to finally reach the summit of English football.