Pep Guardiola admitted his post-match conflict with Dean Henderson was fuelled by frustration on the Crystal Palace goalkeeper’s time-wasting throughout Manchester Metropolis’s shock 1-0 defeat within the FA Cup ultimate on Saturday.
For simply the second time in Guardiola’s managerial profession he’ll finish the season and not using a main trophy after a controversial loss capped a depressing season for his aspect.
Henderson was lucky to flee a purple card for dealing with exterior the penalty space within the first half earlier than he went on to save lots of a penalty from Omar Marmoush at Wembley.
Guardiola pointedly stated “do not ask me, ask the VAR and the referee” when quizzed on the choice to not ship off Henderson for denying Erling Haaland a goal-scoring alternative along with his handball.
However, whereas he stored his feelings comparatively underneath management over that incident, the Metropolis boss let rip at Henderson for his fixed time-wasting that performed a task in 10 minutes of stoppage-time within the second half.
Guardiola appeared to trade offended phrases with Henderson on the pitch after the ultimate whistle and was nonetheless annoyed in his post-match press convention.
“Pay attention, he defended his place, we defended our place. I perceive within the final minutes, however because the first or second minutes? He is British, you already know, within the English soccer, it’s important to play,” Guardiola stated.
“I am sorry, everybody can do no matter they need. Now we have to attain targets. We did not lose as a result of Henderson was time-wasting. But it surely’s a query of rhythm for the gamers.
“It is a sport for all of the followers. So, whenever you see Barcelona now, they’re dropping and it is assault, assault. And the opposite staff, assault, assault. The present is gorgeous.
“I perceive Henderson’s place. I do not really feel it. So, my groups have by no means tried as a result of I attempt to play the sport just like the folks deserve to observe. That is all.”
‘It’s troublesome to return again’
On the heated dialogue with Guardiola, England ‘keeper Henderson added: “I simply went to shake his hand however clearly I believe he was disenchanted with the time-wasting. I stated, ‘You bought your 10 minutes you have been wanting’. No onerous emotions.”
Metropolis had practically 80 p.c possession and 23 pictures however did not make it depend as they misplaced a second successive FA Cup ultimate following final season’s defeat towards Manchester United.
“We did not rating, so congratulations Crystal Palace for the victory. They performed defensive sport,” Guardiola stated.
“We managed the transitions other than the objective. With 11 gamers within the penalty field for them, we created quite a bit.
“Each motion Palace took time, the goal-kicks, the rhythm, it’s troublesome to return again. The probabilities have been there however it was troublesome to attain.
“We have been actually good in lots of issues. However we did not rating and that is why we did not win.”
Guardiola confirmed it was not his alternative for Marmoush to take the spot-kick over Metropolis’s regular taker Haaland.
The Norwegian, who had missed three penalties earlier this season, had the ball in his fingers earlier than passing it to Marmoush.
“They selected the pitch, so I do not know. I did not communicate with them,” Guardiola stated.
“In that second it’s how you feel. They determined Omar would take it. Henderson made save.”
