Dean Henderson’s Handball Escape and Heroics Seal Shock FA Cup Win for Crystal Palace

Posted : 18 May 2025

Dean Henderson emerged as Crystal Palace’s unlikely hero in their shock 1-0 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley, securing the club's first major trophy in its 120-year history. The match was decided early, with Eberechi Eze scoring the only goal in the 16th minute.

But the real turning point occurred just eight minutes later, when Henderson charged out of the box to challenge Erling Haaland and then appeared to handle the ball outside the area. Though it seemed like a potential red-card offense, neither the referee nor VAR intervened, and play resumed — a decision that left many in disbelief.

The VAR review determined that Haaland did not have a clear and immediate goal-scoring opportunity, partly because Palace defender Maxence Lacroix was able to recover and limit the threat. Nonetheless, the controversy continued to simmer after the match.

Henderson, when asked about the incident, shrugged off the suggestion that it should have been a red, claiming the ball was already inside the box when he made contact. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was visibly upset and confronted Henderson after the final whistle, though the goalkeeper later downplayed the exchange, suggesting there were no hard feelings.

Adding to his match-winning performance, Henderson made a crucial penalty save in the 36th minute, denying Omar Marmoush and preserving Palace’s slim lead. The goalkeeper, who transferred from Manchester United to Crystal Palace for £15 million in the summer of 2023, dedicated the emotional victory to his late father, saying, “He was with me every step of the way.” Henderson’s contributions ensured Palace’s name would be etched in history, even as debate swirled around the officiating.

The decision not to send off Henderson sparked sharp criticism from pundits. Wayne Rooney, speaking on the BBC broadcast, insisted it was a clear red card and blasted the VAR system for failing to act. “It’s a 100% red. Haaland was about to go past him, and he used his hand. How can you miss that?” Rooney went so far as to suggest VAR should be scrapped entirely.

Alan Shearer echoed similar concerns, arguing that while Haaland may not have had an open path to goal, Henderson still denied a realistic scoring chance. Guardiola, meanwhile, kept his frustration muted, simply telling reporters, “Ask the referee what happened.”

Dean Henderson’s Handball Escape and Heroics Seal Shock FA Cup Win for Crystal Palace

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