ALAN SHEARER LEFT STUNNED AT ERLING HAALAND HANDING OVER PENALTY TO MAN CITY TEAM-MATE OMAR MARMOUSH - WHO MISSES! - IN FA CUP FINAL

Alan Shearer was left stunned by Erling Haaland' decision to hand over Manchester City's FA Cup final penalty to Omar Marmoush.

City were handed the chance to get back into the game in the first half of the game, having gone behind to Erberechi Eze's opener early on in the match.

Tyrick Mitchell was adjudged to have fouled Bernardo Silva on the City right, with a penalty initially awarded and then upheld after a lengthy VAR check.

Many expected Haaland to take the kick, given he has been City's regular penalty taker since joining the club nearly three years ago. He also stood with the ball under his arm while the VAR check took place.

But, after kissing the ball, he handed it over to strike partner Marmoush, who stepped up to the spot with Dean Henderson to beat.

England goalkeeper Henderson, though - who was perhaps lucky not to have been sent off before that - guessed right, though, and saved the kick to keep his side ahead after a series of events that Shearer couldn't get his head around.

'That is a big decision from Erling Haaland,' Shearer said on BBC Sport commentary. 'Not to want that penalty.'

When asked if he could have been ordered to pass the kick on, Shearer said: 'Well he's on the pitch, he's fit enough to start the game, so he's either said he doesn't want it or Pep doesn't want him to take it. That is a big surprise to me, though.'

Haaland has scored just four of his last seven penalties for City, while Marmoush, prior to Saturday, had scored his last seven. This, though, was his first for the club he joined in January.

'Not at all,' Shearer added when it was suggested Haaland should not have given the ball to Marmoush. 'Not when you are in his position. Erling Haaland, who and what you are.

'He has scored 30 goals this season. I'm only speaking from a personal point of view but I wouldn't be willing to give a penalty up in a cup final, no chance.'

At half-time, the punditry team, including Wayne Rooney and Gary Lineker, also debated the decision.

'I don’t think he’s given it away,' Rooney said. 'I think it’s been taken off him.'

Lineker added: 'I can’t imagine that Haaland said he didn’t fancy it. 

Shearer, meanwhile, added: 'There's no way anyone is saying to me "you're not taking a penalty today if we get a penalty today".'

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2025-05-17T17:21:47Z