Pep Guardiola drops bombshell on Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush penalty mix-up that cost Man City the FA Cup

Pep Guardiola has explained the penalty mix-up between Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush that may have cost Manchester City the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.

Palace won 1-0 through Eberechi Eze's first half goal, but had Dean Henderson to thank for holding onto their lead into the interval.

The England goalkeeper saved Marmoush's spot kick after Tyrick Mitchell was adjudged to have fouled Bernardo Silva in the penalty area.

But the reaction to the miss centred more around Haaland's decision to give the ball to Marmoush for the spot kick instead of taking the responsibility himself.

Wayne Rooney speculated at half-time on BBC Sport that the decision may have been pre-determined by Guardiola, with fans left questioning why the Norwegian didn't step up.

But speaking after the final, Guardiola stated that the choice of penalty taker was nothing to do with him and that Haaland had the final call on the pitch at Wembley.

He told BBC Sport's Kelly Somers: "I don't know. I didn't speak with them. They take the decision. It's always [like that] around the penalties. I like the guys who take the initiative. And yeah, they decide."

In his post-match press conference, he was pressed again on the subject: "We didn't speak, so they are things in the meetings that are already for them.

"For that moment, for the free-kicks and penalties, it's about how you're feeling, it's how you feel.

"They saw that Omar was ready to take it. I think Omar took a lot of time with the ball - stop ... take the ball and kick - to then put more pressure on himself. And Henderson made a good save."

Guardiola also praised his team's performance at Wembley, claiming that they were 'much, much better' than in last season's FA Cup final, where City lost 2-1 to Manchester United.

City must now focus on the final two games of the Premier League season, as they currently occupy sixth place with a game in hand.

The top five teams qualify for the Champions League next season, with City guaranteed to play in that competition once again if they win both of their final games against Bournemouth (home) and Fulham (away).