• [Daily Mirror Icon]
• Sport
• Football
• Dean Henderson

Dean Henderson sends Thomas Tuchel clear England message after FA Cup final heroics

Dean Henderson was the hero for Crystal Palace as he saved a penalty in their 1-0 FA Cup win over Manchester City, one of a number of saves in front of England boss Thomas Tuchel

[LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Dean Henderson of Crystal Palace celebrates with the trophy after winning the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)]

View 2 Images

Dean Henderson is an FA Cup hero(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)

Dean Henderson said a penalty premonition from Crystal Palaces third-choice keeper inspired his Wembley heroics in front of England boss Thomas Tuchel. The Eagles keepers save from Omar Marmoushs spot kick was the highlight of a stunning performance at Wembley.

And the uber-confident Cumbrian said: I know what I'm capable of. Getting exposed to this stage, I knew today would have been a phenomenal day. Even sat in bed this morning, I was thinking about things, manifesting things. It's just phenomenal to be able to perform like that.

Remi Matthews actually said to me in my room this morning, You're going to have a worldie today and you're going to save a penalty and it came true. To be fair, I just said, Yeah, I will. Obviously, when he got the ball, I thought, Yeah, it's right, it's happening.

We did our homework this morning. He hasn't actually taken a penalty for City but we know he needs to keep his pace at that side every time. We knew if I got a step in early I might have a chance of saving it, which I did. He hit it well and thankfully kept it out.

Henderson did not concede a goal in his three FA Cup appearances from the quarter-final stages - and Millwall were the only team to score against them in the fifth round when Matt Turner was between the sticks. And the former Manchester United keepers superb save from Jeremy Doku just before the break caused Palace fans to chant Englands No.1.

Henderson has won only two England caps but he is convinced he will become the Three Lions No.1. When I achieve it, I'll enjoy it a lot, he said. And with German Tuchel in the Wembley stands, he boosted his chances of playing in the North American World Cup next summer.

I would like to think so, he said. Obviously, that's an aim of mine. I'm obviously getting my first taste of it. I want the next taste of it. That's something I've been working towards for many years now and fingers crossed I can get the opportunity soon.

Should Dean Henderson be England's No.1 goalkeeper? Have your say in the comments section.

[LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Mark Bullingham Chief Executive Officer of the FA (L) with England Manager Thomas Tuchel (R) and assistant coach Anthony Barry (C) during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)]

View 2 Images

England boss Thomas Tuchel and assistant Anthony Barry (middle) watched on(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

To prove it was Palaces day, Henderson escaped a red card shortly before his penalty save after handling outside his box. I actually genuinely thought it was inside the box, he said.

I was waiting for it to skip up off the turf because normally it's wet out there but obviously the sun dried it up. But obviously it was going away from goal anyway so I'm not so sure what the problem was.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

[Daily Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.