“To be honest, I can’t really believe it. I think when you play this game 10 times, you win it once, and this happened today,” Palace boss Oliver Glasner said.
“The goal was the first time we were in their half and then we just defended with every single part of the body.”
Beaten by Manchester United in their previous FA Cup final appearances in 1990 and 2016, Palace’s shock win was no more than they deserved as City once again imploded in a dismal season that will be their first without major silverware since 2016-17.
“We did everything but if you’re not going to score goals, you’re not going to win,” Guardiola said.
“We performed really well. Football is like this sometimes.”
On the Henderson controversy, Guardiola would only add: “Ask the referee.”
After winning the Premier League in the previous four seasons, City have endured a turbulent campaign that ranks among the worst in Guardiola’s storied managerial career.
Currently sixth in the Premier League, City host Bournemouth on Wednesday (NZT) and travel to Fulham on May 26 as they try to salvage their wretched year by at least qualifying for the Champions League.
Not for the first time, Guardiola sprang a surprise with his selection for a final as he picked an ultra-attacking line-up with no holding midfielder.
However, Guardiola’s habit of tinkering with his tactics for finals has backfired in the past.
Asked about City’s line-up just before kickoff, Guardiola said he was putting his faith in “talent”, but Glasner had spotted an opening, saying: “When you have so many attacking players, it could give you an opportunity in transitions.”
Erling Haaland nearly gave City the perfect start when he stretched to meet Kevin De Bruyne’s cross with a volley that forced a scrambled save from Henderson.
Josko Gvardiol’s towering header from Savinho’s corner was smartly repelled by Henderson.
But Glasner’s clever decision to set up Palace deep inside their own half had lured City in for the sucker punch.
Eze delivered the knockout blow from Palace’s first attack in the 16th minute as Glasner’s men launched a brilliant break from their penalty area.
Jean-Philippe Mateta held up Chris Richards’ long pass and laid it off to Daniel Munoz, who surged down the right flank before crossing towards Eze, who guided a superb volley past Stefan Ortega from 4m.
City were furious when Henderson escaped a red card when the video assistant referee (VAR) checked his handball, which appeared to take place outside the area, after the keeper rushed out to challenge Haaland.
VAR said it was “not an obvious goal-scoring opportunity” but it proved crucial as Henderson rescued Palace in the 35th minute.
Tyrick Mitchell conceded the penalty with a needless foul on Bernardo Silva as the City midfielder ran away from goal.
Instead of Haaland taking the spot kick, it was Marmoush who stepped up after the Norway star gave him the ball in a disastrous move as Henderson plunged to his right to keep out the Egyptian’s strike.
Henderson was in inspired form and he denied City again, clawing away a Jeremy Doku strike that appeared destined for the top corner.
Defending tirelessly, Palace were indebted to Henderson, who made two more brilliant saves from Claudio Echeverri to cap a chastening afternoon for Guardiola.
