“Did Crystal Palace deserves the win? “- Furious Pep Guardiola aims BRUTAL Dig at Crystal Palace after Man City’s FA Cup Final defeat
Guardiola Criticizes Crystal Palace’s Time-Wasting After FA Cup Final Loss
Pep Guardiola voiced his frustration over Crystal Palace’s time-wasting tactics following Manchester City’s defeat in the FA Cup final.
Ebere Eze netted the only goal of the match, securing Palace’s first-ever FA Cup triumph and handing City their second consecutive final loss, following last season’s defeat to Manchester United.
Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson played a key role in the victory, saving a first-half penalty from Omar Marmoush. He was also involved in a controversial moment when he appeared to handle the ball outside the box while Erling Haaland was bearing down on goal—an incident that could have seen him sent off.
After the match, Guardiola congratulated Palace manager Oliver Glasner but expressed displeasure at the game’s lack of flow, attributing it to time-wasting, particularly from Henderson. The City manager was seen in a heated exchange with the goalkeeper at full time.
Addressing the confrontation, Guardiola said: “He defended his actions, and we defended ours. I understand wasting time in the final moments, but this started very early in the game.
“Everyone plays the way they want. We didn’t lose because of the time-wasting—it’s on us for not scoring. But the rhythm was broken, and that affects the spectacle. Fans come to watch all 22 players play the game.”
He continued: “When you see teams like Barcelona behind in a match, they keep pushing, attacking—it’s beautiful football. That’s what we try to do.
“But ultimately, it’s up to the referee to manage those situations. My teams always aim to play the game properly, in a way fans deserve to see.”
Guardiola ended by giving credit where it was due: “Congratulations to Henderson and Crystal Palace. They defended exceptionally well, and we just couldn’t find the net.”
