Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson made an emotional revelation following his heroic performance in the FA Cup final, disclosing that his father passed away at the beginning of the 2024-25 season.

The former Manchester United shot-stopper dedicated Palace's historic 1-0 victory over Manchester City to his late father, whom he said he felt was present with him during the momentous occasion at Wembley Stadium.

"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!" Henderson told BBC Sport in a post-match interview.

The 28-year-old England international was instrumental in Crystal Palace's triumph, becoming the first goalkeeper in 15 years to save a non-shootout penalty in an FA Cup final. The last goalkeeper to achieve this feat was Chelsea's Petr Cech.

Henderson's crucial first-half penalty save proved decisive as Crystal Palace secured their first major trophy in the club's 119-year history, overcoming Pep Guardiola's highly-rated Manchester City side.

The victory marks a significant milestone for Crystal Palace, who have long been waiting to add silverware to their cabinet. The historic win will be remembered not only for breaking the club's trophy drought but also for Henderson's personal tribute to his father.

Reports indicate that Guardiola confronted Henderson after the match, though details of their exchange have not been disclosed. The defeat denies Manchester City another trophy in what has been a challenging season for the reigning Premier League champions.