Why Erling Haaland Didn’t Take Penalty in Man City vs Crystal Palace FA Cup Final
Why Erling Haaland Didn’t Take Penalty in Man City vs Crystal Palace FA Cup Final.
Pep Guardiola revealed the reason why Omar Marmoush stepped up to take the penalty instead of Erling Haaland during Manchester City’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace. Eberechi Eze’s cushioned volley was enough to separate the two teams, but City’s Egyptian star squandered their best chance to level the contest.
Bernardo Silva was brought down by Tyrick Mitchell just after the half-hour mark, and after a lengthy VAR check, the on-field decision stood, seemingly giving Haaland the chance to equalise from the spot. Instead, the Norwegian handed the ball, metaphorically and literally, to Marmoush, who saw his effort saved by Dean Henderson — and the reason behind the swap has now been explained.
Guardiola Claims Players Made Decision on Penalty
The Catalan coach did not take responsibility for the swap of the takers
Speaking to the BBC after the final, Guardiola detailed that the decision on who took the penalty was not made by him and it was instead a call by his players, suggesting that Haaland may have chosen not to step up from 12 yards.
“I don’t know [why Haaland didn’t take the penalty]. They take the decisions on the penalties,” Guardiola explained. “I like the guys who take the initiative. They decide.” When it was put to the City boss that it was a lot of pressure for Marmoush to take his first spotkick for the club in such an environment, he simply replied by saying “his next one will be better.”
While Haaland is usually the designated penalty taker for his club, his record this term from 12 yards has been far from flawless. He has scored four of his seven efforts from the spot, missing the other three, including one in the FA Cup against Bournemouth – who will no longer be able to compete in Europe as a result of City’s defeat.
Henderson on Marmoush’s Penalty
The goalkeeper was confident he would save the effort once he saw who was taking it
If there was one man who was happy to see Marmoush step up to the plate instead of Erling Haaland, it was Palace number one Dean Henderson, who said after the game that he knew he was going to save the effort once he saw the Egyptian take hold off the ball:
“If Haaland might’ve stepped up, I didn’t know which way he’d go, but Marmoush, I knew which way he was going.”
The English shotstopper was also seen in a heated confrontation with Guardiola after the game, but the City coach refused to comment on what caused the face-off between the two, while Henderson played down suggestions that there were any real issues between them.
Palace Defender Munoz Reveals Conversation With Haaland
‘I asked him why he didn’t take the penalty’
Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz was spotted conversing with Haaland ahead of Marmoush stepping up to the penalty spot – and it’s now been revealed what the Colombian defender spoke to the Norway talisman about. According to 10 Sports Colombia, he said:
“I asked him why he didn’t take the penalty, since he was the team’s top scorer. And he told me that his teammate was also a good kicker. So, I told him, ‘If you don’t take the penalty, he’ll miss.’ And he missed.”
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt – accurate as of 18/05/2025.