Dean Henderson rubs salt in Man City’s wounds as Crystal Palace hero makes startling admission about penalty save
DEAN HENDERSON has revealed he did his homework on Omar Marmoush – and “knew he’d save” the Egyptian’s FA Cup final penalty.
The Palace goalkeeper helped the Eagles beat Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday.
Henderson dived smartly to his right to palm away Marmoush’s spotkick in the 36th minute.
The 28-year-old had courted controversy earlier in the half after appearing to handle outside his area.
But he won the battle with Marmoush as City’s January signing from Eintracht Frankfurt fluffed his lines.
Erling Haaland had initially looked likely to take the crucial penalty for Pep Guardiola’s men, who trailed 1-0 at the time.
The Norwegian had missed three of his last from 12 yards and eventually handed the ball to Marmoush.
And Henderson revealed he was delighted to see City’s £59million man try his luck – because he “knew which way” he would shoot.
He told ITV: “To be fair, [Erling] Haaland might have stepped up, I wasn’t sure which way he’d go.
“He gave it to [Omar] Marmoush, I knew which way he was going. I knew I’d save it.”
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Henderson was confronted by City boss Guardiola at the final whistle.
And he revealed the Spaniard was fuming at Palace’s “time-wasting” antics in the second half.
He continued: “I just want to shake his hand.
“But I think he was disappointed with the time wasting.
“I said, ‘You got the ten minutes you wanted’. There’s no hard feelings.”
The former Man Utd stopper also dedicated Saturday’s historic win to his dad Dougie, who passed away last year.
He continued: “It’s why I left United, it’s what I set out to do.
“I lost my dad at the start of the season and I’ll miss him here today.
“He was with me every kick of the ball today and I dedicate that win to him.”