Crystal Palace goalkeeper, Dean Henderson, has revealed that his father died at the beginning of the 2024-25 league season.


He made the emotional revelation after his heroics performance in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final of this season’s FA Cup.

Crystal Palace won their first major trophy as a club after 119 years, beating Pep Guardiola’s highly rated Manchester City team.


Henderson spoke with BBC Sport after the winning the silverware at Wembley, revealing that his father passed away earlier in the season.

He then dedicated the trophy to his dad, who he claimed to feel the presence during the final.

“I lost my dad at the start of the season and I miss him here today, but he was with me. I dedicate that win to him!”, the former Manchester United star told the BBC.


The England goalkeeper became the first goalkeeper since former Chelsea custodian, Petr Cech 15 years ago to save a non-shootout penalty in the final of the FA Cup.

The 28-year-old was pivotal in Palace victory, having saved a penalty in the first half of the encounter.

There was pandemonium at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja in Abeokuta, Ogun state which is one of the venues for the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival, following a gas explosion on Tuesday.


The incident occurred while a gas truck supplying the complex’s generating set suddenly caught fire.

This led to panic among the athletes and spectators nearby, who all ran for safety.


Emergency responders showed up quickly to the complex and put the situation under control.

No confirmed casualties reported yet.

Events at the venue, including handball, squash and badminton had resumed as of the time this story was filed.

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has admitted that his team could play in the Europa League next season if they don’t perform enough to qualify for Champions League.


However, Guardiola is bullish City can take one of the top five spots in the Premier League.

Two of the spots have been taken by champions Liverpool and Arsenal, who beat Newcastle 1-0 on Sunday.


With one round of fixtures left, Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa all sit on 66 points.

City are in sixth position ahead of a home game with Bournemouth with 65 points, which means they have a game in hand over the three clubs.

“If we are not there [Champions League] then we don’t deserve it and will be in the Europa League. It is what it is,” Guardiola told reporters.


“I am thinking we are going to qualify. My thoughts and the way I think — I think that.

“We need four points. That is the main target. I am absolutely [confident of qualifying).