Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed the surprise decision to let Omar Marmoush take a crucial penalty in Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, stating that the choice was made between Marmoush and Erling Haaland without his input.
City were beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace in a tense showdown at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The only goal of the match came in the first half, courtesy of a composed finish from Eberechi Eze, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot the ball past Stefan Ortega.
The defining moment of the game, however, arrived just before half-time when Manchester City were awarded a penalty following a foul on Bernardo Silva inside the box. It was a golden opportunity for the defending champions to pull level, and many expected star striker Erling Haaland to step up as he has done countless times in high-stakes moments.
To the surprise of fans and pundits alike, it was Omar Marmoush who took responsibility for the spot-kick. The Egyptian forward, relatively new to City’s lineup, saw his effort saved by Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who guessed correctly and dived low to parry the shot away.
Henderson’s heroics didn’t end there. The England international delivered a string of crucial saves throughout the second half to preserve Palace’s slim advantage and ultimately guide the London club to their first-ever FA Cup triumph in modern history.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola revealed he had no involvement in the decision over who would take the penalty. The Spaniard made it clear that the responsibility was left entirely to the players on the pitch.
“I don’t know. I didn’t speak to them,” Guardiola said when asked why Haaland allowed Marmoush to take the penalty. “They made a decision. They decide.”
The City boss refrained from placing blame on Marmoush, instead commending Palace for their defensive organization and Henderson’s standout performance between the posts.
“Sometimes in football, these things happen. You miss chances, you miss penalties, and the game turns on moments like that,” Guardiola added. “I’m not here to blame anyone. We created chances, but credit to Palace, especially their goalkeeper. He made the difference today.”
Omar Marmoush, who joined City last summer from Eintracht Frankfurt, had scored several important goals during the season but had never taken a penalty for the club before. His miss will undoubtedly raise questions about on-field decision-making and hierarchy, particularly with a penalty specialist like Haaland available.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, now firmly established as Palace’s No. 1, was hailed as the hero of the final. Speaking to the BBC after lifting the trophy, Henderson said he trusted his instincts when facing Marmoush.
“I studied a few of their takers, but Marmoush was a surprise. I just had a feeling and went the right way,” Henderson said. “It’s every goalkeeper’s dream to save a penalty in a final, and I’m buzzing we got the win.”
Palace manager Oliver Glasner was full of praise for his team’s resilience and ability to execute under pressure.
“I’m incredibly proud of the boys. We came to Wembley with belief, and today they showed what they’re capable of,” Glasner said. “Eze’s goal was top-class, but the entire team put in a massive shift. Dean was outstanding — we needed that kind of performance to beat a team like Manchester City.”
Crystal Palace’s victory marks a historic achievement for the South London club, who had previously reached the final in 1990 and 2016 but fell short on both occasions. Their triumph this year not only secures a major trophy but also qualifies them for next season’s UEFA Europa League.
For Manchester City, the result is a bitter pill to swallow. Despite dominating possession and registering more shots, they failed to convert their chances — a rare scenario for a side known for its ruthlessness in front of goal. The defeat also ends City’s hopes of securing a domestic double after they won the Premier League title just last week.
City fans took to social media to express their frustration and confusion over the penalty decision. Many questioned why Haaland, who has scored 41 goals this season across all competitions, didn’t take the responsibility himself.
“Biggest game, biggest moment — and Haaland doesn’t take the penalty? That’s baffling,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
However, others defended Marmoush, highlighting that penalty misses are part of the game and that he showed courage in stepping up during such a high-pressure moment.
With the season now over, Guardiola is expected to reflect on the campaign and assess squad dynamics ahead of the summer transfer window. Despite another domestic title under his belt, the FA Cup final loss will leave a sour note as City looks ahead to the next chapter.
For now, the headlines belong to Crystal Palace — FA Cup champions, thanks in large part to Eberechi Eze’s decisive goal and Dean Henderson’s unforgettable display.
