Dean Henderson saves penalty 10 minutes after he controversially escapes red card for FA Cup final moment of madness

DEAN HENDERSON escaped a red card for handball during the FA Cup final before saving a Man City penalty just 10 minutes later.

The Crystal Palace star was left breathing a sigh of relief after escaping a red card following a VAR review for handling outside the box.

GettyDean Henderson escaped a red card after handling the ball against Man City before saving a penalty moments later[/caption] The goalie was well outside the box as he slapped the ball away from Erling Haaland Henderson escaped a red card following a VAR review

And he quickly made amends by blocking out Omar Marmoush’s spot-kick to preserve the Eagles’ slim lead.

The thrilling incidents played out after Palace took the lead at Wembley through Eberechi Eze’s 16th minute strike.

City looked to get back into the game as a long ball made its way to Erling Haaland.

The striker tried to take the bouncing ball down with his foot outside Palace’s box.

But Haaland was thwarted as Henderson rushed out to palm the danger away.

The game continued to play on momentarily before VAR informed referee Stuart Attwell of a red card check.

Stockley Park chiefs were keen to see whether Henderson was outside his box while slapping the ball away, and therefore denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity for Haaland.

Replays then showed that Henderson had clearly handled the ball, with the stopper’s arm some way outside his box.

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However, VAR chiefs deemed it had NOT denied Haaland a goal-scoring opportunity as the ball had been heading away from the net, allowing Henderson to escape a red card.

Fans had mixed feelings on the incident, with one saying: “His foot’s on the line so he’s not actually outside the box.”

Another declared: “Would have ruined the FA Cup final.”

One noted: “100 per cent handball it’s not even close.”

Another added: “That’s a red all day long.”

Pundit Wayne Rooney was left livid though, speaking on BBC One: “It’s a red card. He sweeps the ball away, it’s a red card, how can we get this wrong?

“Just get rid of VAR. They’ve made a mistake so now they’re trying to cover up. Everyone can see it’s a red card.”

Rooney was referring to a half-time statement given by VAR to the BBC, explaining the decision to not send Henderson off as: “The direction in which Haaland was going made it a possible, but not an obvious, goalscoring opportunity.”

Henderson made up for the error with a brilliant penalty save just 10 minutes later The goalie kept Omar Marmoush at bay with a fantastic stop Tyrick Mitchell appeared to touch the ball first, but VAR stuck with the ref’s original decision

Henderson soon made up for his error of judgement though, saving a penalty 10 minutes later.

Tyrick Mitchell was judged to have brought down Bernardo Silva despite appearing to get a foot on the ball.

VAR checked that one too but stuck with Attwell’s decision by claiming that Mitchell hadn’t actually touched the ball.

January signing Marmoush then stepped up to take the penalty instead of usual suspect Erling Haaland.

But after a lengthy wait, the Egyptian’s effort was brilliantly blocked out by Henderson.

Fans also had plenty to say on that moment, with one declaring: “Hendo’s built for the big stage.”

Another boomed: “It’s Crystal Palace’s day.”

One noted: “He should go back to Man Utd.”

Another added: “Bro has a touch of Van der Sar and De Gea.”