The match ended after 120 minutes, with Crystal Palace hoisting the cup for Dean Henderson’s Game Saving Performance to be preserved. He displayed just how talented of a shot-stopping goalkeeper he was in stressful, confined situations. The match, held at Wembley Stadium, saw Henderson save a crucial penalty from Omar Marmoush, helping to secure a 2-1 win for his team.
Henderson’s confidence was dripping off him in the penalty shootout. He revealed that he felt more assured about facing Marmoush’s penalty than one from Manchester City’s prolific striker, Erling Haaland. Beyond helping him get into position, this detail speaks to Henderson’s overall mindset as a player and his willingness to play in the moment.
When asked if he thought Haaland would want to accept it, Henderson said of the 22-year-old’s possible role in the penalty decision. It was in fact Marmoush who showed up to take the shot, and Henderson was there to meet him. “I knew which way he was going. I knew I’d save it,” he added.
The match featured a tense moment early on when Henderson appeared to handle the ball outside his penalty area while attempting to thwart Haaland. This later incident likely should have drawn a red card. Yet that likely would have cost him his job, if not for the VAR review coming to his rescue. “I didn’t know the VAR review was for me,” Henderson remarked after the game. When asked about the incident, he shrugged off the concerns, stating, “Who cares, it doesn’t matter. I am not bothered.”
Henderson’s experience and poise at Wembley shined through for most of the match. He previously saved a penalty in the League One Play-off final for Shrewsbury in 2018, which added to his confidence heading into this pivotal game.
After saving Marmoush’s penalty, Henderson was mobbed by his Crystal Palace teammates, celebrating the significant moment that contributed to their historic win. The goalkeeper expressed his joy at the final whistle, emphasizing how crucial it was for him to contribute to the team’s success.
In his post-match remarks, Manchester City’s coach Pep Guardiola accepted the psychological pressure that players undergo during penalty shoot outs. He underscored just how important it is for them to feel ready. “That moment for the free-kicks, the penalty, is especially about how you feel,” he said. Guardiola revealed they had not agreed who would take the penalties prior to the game. He stressed the importance of players being prepared for whatever happens to unfold over the course of a game.
For Crystal Palace, standing proud as they raised the FA Cup trophy at Wembley, Henderson was key. He credited football salvation, staving off terrible penalties with incredible skill. The poise he showed under pressure was instrumental in knocking out one of the other England power clubs. The team’s triumph not only marks a significant achievement for Palace but highlights Henderson’s growing reputation as a reliable goalkeeper.
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