Guardiola reflects on FA Cup final loss | OneFootball

City boss Pep Guardiola said he was sad at the outcome of Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace – but largely happy with how his players performed in the Wembley showpiece.

A 16th minute Eberechi Eze goal proved the difference and saw the Eagles claim their first major piece of silverware.

City created a host of chances in both halves and also saw Omar Marmoush’s first-half penalty saved by Palace keeper Dean Henderson.

Reflecting on the defeat, the Blues boss admitted it was a hugely disappointing feeling but added that he was largely satisfied with the way his side performed.

“Congratulations to Crystal Palace on their first FA Cup. It is history,” Pep said.

“We played a good defensive game and controlled the transitions, and incredible threat except the goal.

“They are difficult to control at throw-ins and corners and free-kicks but we could not score in the last two games.

“We played better than the Southampton game, we were more active, and I would say we were really good in many things.

“We created a lot but we didn't score and that's why we could not win.”

There was an element of controversy to the game with Palace keeper Dean Henderson making a string of fine saves in addition to that penalty save after having escaped  a potential red card for handling the ball outside the box when challenging Erling Haaland.

However, the boss refused to dwell on that key moment.

Instead he insisted that though he left Wembley feeling disappointed at the outcome, there was no sense of ifs or buts.

“The gameplan didn't work because we didn't win but I didn't have any regrets,” Pep added.

“At Southampton I had a bad feeling but today we are sad because it's the FA Cup final and how nice is the day and the songs and the crowd and it's such a beautiful day.

“We are here and played to win and played much better than the 5-2 win at home to Palace and played better than last season when we lost to United [in the final].

“We had chances but it's not easy with so many players there [in the box] and we continue. Now we rest and recover quick for the last two finals to qualify for the Champions League.”

The boss also revealed what prompted him to name Claudio Echeverri on the bench, with the Argentine summoned on late in the second half for his City debut and coming close on a number of occasions to levelling.

“That was not a bad decision, the way he played," Pep added.

“He had three chances in small spaces. I saw him in training sessions.

“He's moving really well in small spaces, so creative and I thought that in the last minutes [he could] find something in these type of games."