Explained: Why Dean Henderson avoided red card for handball outside Crystal Palace box to deny Erling Haaland in FA Cup final clash vs Man City

A VAR check was required after the Palace goalkeeper handled the ball outside the area to deny Erling Haaland breaking through on goal. The Norwegian had been put through one-on-one against Henderson who closed down the space and pushed the ball with his arm away from Haaland and the goal. However, replays showed the goalkeeper had handled the ball outside of the area and appeared to have denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity. VAR checked the decision but opted against giving Manchester City a free-kick and Henderson a red card.

On the BBC's coverage, Gary Lineker said that VAR explained: "The direction in which Haaland was going made it a possible, but not an obvious goal scoring opportunity."

Haaland was through and had Henderson not come out of his area to push the ball out of the striker's path, Haaland would have had a good chance to equalise. The officials judged Haaland to be taking the ball wide and away from goal as the reason as to why Henderson was not given his marching orders, marking a significant decision in the cup final. The goalkeeper went on to save an Omar Marmoush penalty minutes later and become the Eagles' hero.

The Eagles have one hand on the cup after going into the break with a slender 1-0 advantage but will have to remain wary of the threat City pose. Henderson will hope to keep shining and stealing the headlines - for the right reasons.