Wayne Rooney has called for VAR to be scrapped after Dean Henderson was the beneficiary of a controversial call.

Midway through the first half, Henderson was briefly caught in two minds when a long ball was played for Manchester City striker Erling Haaland to run on to.

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Henderson was subject to a VAR review when he handled the ball outside his boxCredit: Getty

Henderson initially stepped out of his box, only to retreat a few steps.

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But the Crystal Palace goalkeeper then swatted the ball away with his right hand just as Haaland looked like he would get there first.

City's attack ultimately amounted to nothing, but referee Stuart Atwell paused the match to converse with VAR official Jarred Gillett.

Replays then showed Henderson made contact with the ball with his hand outside the box.

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However, Henderson avoided any retrospective punishment and BBC host Gary Lineker explained why as he read out a statement from VAR.

"The direction in which Erling Haaland was going made it possible, but not an obvious goal scoring opportunity," Lineker said.

But Manchester United legend Rooney was simply not having it.

"Just get rid of VAR," Rooney said.

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"They have made a mistake and now they are trying to cover it up.

"It is a red card and everyone can see it's a red card."

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VAR decided Haaland was going in a direction away from goalCredit: BBC

After former Palace striker Glenn Murray said the referee can't be questioned, Rooney fired back: "I know, but to come out with this rubbish..."

Rooney added: "It is a red card - 100 per cent a red card.

"Erling Haaland is about to knock it around him and Dean Henderson sweeps the ball away.

"It is a red card - how can they get this wrong?"

Palace were left rather thankful Henderson avoided a red card as he came up clutch in the 36th minute when he kept out Omar Marmoush's penalty.

City were awarded a spot kick when Tyrick Mitchell produced a clumsy challenge on Bernardo Silva inside the box.

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Henderson produced a decisive moment when he saved Marmoush's penaltyCredit: Getty

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It appeared as if Haaland would be the man to take the penalty, but he handed the ball over to Marmoush.

Yet the Egyptian's effort was saved by Henderson in front of the Palace faithful.

Henderson's save from the spot marked the first time a goalkeeper had kept out a penalty in an FA Cup final outside of a shootout since Petr Cech in 2010 for Chelsea against Portsmouth.

It also helped preserve Palace's lead after Eberechi Eze put the Eagles ahead in the 16th minute.

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Eze volleyed home from Daniel Munoz's cross from the right to spark jubilant scenes among the Palace supporters.

The 26-year-old's goal was his third FA Cup goal in as many games.


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