Dean Henderson Escapes Red Card Before Saving Penalty to Secure Crystal Palace’s FA Cup Triumph

Dean Henderson played a pivotal role in Crystal Palace's historic 1–0 victory over Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

The match's most contentious moment occurred in the first half when Henderson appeared to handle the ball outside his penalty area while challenging Erling Haaland. Despite expectations of a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, VAR reviewed the incident and determined that Henderson's action did not meet the criteria for a sending-off, allowing him to remain on the pitch.  

Just ten minutes later, Henderson redeemed himself by saving a penalty from Omar Marmoush, preserving Palace's lead established by Eberechi Eze's 16th-minute goal. Henderson's crucial interventions, including a late save from Claudio Echeverri, were instrumental in securing the historic win. 

The VAR decision sparked significant debate among pundits and fans, with some arguing that Henderson should have been dismissed. Nonetheless, the victory marked a milestone for Crystal Palace, earning them their first major trophy, a place in the UEFA Europa League, and a spot in the upcoming FA Community Shield against Premier League champions Liverpool.