Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has clarified that he did not decide who took the decisive penalty in the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, instead saying Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush made the decision themselves on the pitch. The Citizens fell 1-0 at Wembley, with Eberechi Eze’s early strike sealing a historic FA Cup triumph for Palace—their first-ever.
The final marked a painful end to an underwhelming season for City, who finish without a trophy for the first time since 2016–17. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, City were left frustrated by a superb Palace defence and a standout performance from goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Missed Opportunity: Marmoush’s Penalty Save Proves Costly
Manchester City’s best chance to level the match came in the 36th minute after Bernardo Silva was brought down in the box by Tyrick Mitchell. As VAR reviewed the decision, Haaland held onto the ball, suggesting he would take the penalty. But once the call was confirmed, he handed it to Omar Marmoush.
The Egyptian forward struck his effort powerfully, but Dean Henderson guessed correctly and made a vital save to preserve Palace’s lead. The miss would come back to haunt City, as they were unable to break through for the rest of the match.
In the post-match press conference, Guardiola addressed the penalty decision, saying:
“I didn’t speak with them [Haaland and Marmoush]. They take a decision, penalties are like that. I like guys who take initiative and they decide. In that moment, it’s how they feel. They decided Omar was ready to take it.”
Guardiola acknowledged the pressure Marmoush faced:
“Omar took a lot of time when the ball was stopped and after he kicked so it put more pressure on him, and Henderson made a good save.”
Haaland’s Big Game Struggles Continue
Erling Haaland’s decision to pass on the penalty raised eyebrows, particularly given his status as the team’s leading scorer. Once again, he failed to impose himself in a high-stakes final—echoing his underwhelming showings against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester United in last year’s FA Cup final.
Haaland ended the game with just one shot on target, lost all his ground duels, and turned over possession eight times. It was another reminder that, despite his prolific scoring record, his influence in crunch games remains in question.
Akanji and City’s Defensive Lapses Costly
While the focus will fall on the missed penalty and Haaland’s muted performance, City’s defending was also suspect. Manuel Akanji was easily beaten by Eze in the build-up to the match-winning goal and looked off the pace throughout. He failed to register a clearance or interception in the game and was involved in a miscommunication with Ruben Dias that nearly led to a second goal.
Final Verdict: Trophyless Season Sparks Urgent Summer Rebuild
The FA Cup final loss confirmed a disappointing end to City’s season, with no trophies secured in domestic or European competition. The departure of Kevin De Bruyne and the signs of fatigue among key players suggest a major squad overhaul is imminent. Guardiola and sporting director Txiki Begiristain now face a pivotal summer, with players like Dani Olmo reportedly on the radar as part of a midfield reshuffle.
For Crystal Palace, the victory is a crowning achievement—proof that discipline, unity, and belief can topple even the Premier League’s elite.
Conclusion: Guardiola’s Trust in Players Backfires as City Fall Short
Pep Guardiola’s faith in his players’ decision-making backfired on the biggest stage. Omar Marmoush’s missed penalty, Haaland’s lack of authority, and defensive vulnerability combined to hand Crystal Palace a deserved victory. As Manchester City head into a critical summer, the FA Cup final loss serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly dominance can fade.
