Pep: ‘Don’t know’ why Haaland did not take pen

LONDON — Pep Guardiola admitted he concept Erling Haaland would take Manchester City‘s penalty right through their FA Cup ultimate defeat to Crystal Palace and printed it was once “decided on the pitch” that Omar Marmoush would step up prior to his pass over.

Guardiola’s aspect have been crushed 1-0 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday as Palace lifted the primary main trophy of their historical past.

City had the danger to cancel out Eberechi Eze‘s opener after they have been awarded a penalty following Tyrick Mitchell‘s problem on Bernardo Silva.

Haaland first of all took the ball prior to passing it Marmoush, whose spot-kick was once stored by way of Dean Henderson.

“They decided on the pitch,” Guardiola mentioned.

“I don’t know. I didn’t speak with them. I thought he [Haaland] would want to take it. These are things for them.

“That second for the loose kick, for the penalty, it is the feeling and the way they really feel. They made up our minds Omar was once able to take it. Henderson made a excellent save.”

Speaking on the BBC’s broadcast, former England and Man United forward Wayne Rooney said it was not typical for strikers to pass up a chance at scoring a penalty.

“Erling Haaland is a world-class ahead, but if we are speaking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there is no method they are giving that ball away,” Rooney said.

“That’s what separates them two avid gamers from Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe and those avid gamers. They are egocentric and so they wish to rating each recreation.

“When he [Haaland] misses chances I think you can see it gets to him and it does affect him. Maybe the thought of taking a penalty at Wembley might have been too much for him. You never know; he’s a human being.”

Henderson was once lucky to nonetheless be at the pitch after showing to care for the ball outdoor his house as Haaland chased a protracted move over Palace’s protection.

The incident was once reviewed by way of VAR, however it was once deemed that he had now not averted a transparent goal-scoring alternative and escaped a pink card.

Guardiola was once requested in regards to the determination, however refused to present his opinion.

“Ask the VAR and the referee,” he mentioned.

Guardiola and Henderson have been additionally concerned about an altercation after the overall whistle.

The pair exchanged phrases at the pitch right through Palace’s celebrations, with Guardiola showing to scold the England goalkeeper for perceived time-wasting.

“He defended his position, we defend our position,” Guardiola mentioned.

“Everyone can do whatever they want. We have to score goals. Congratulations to Henderson and Palace, because they defended really well and we were not able to score a goal.”