The first ballooned over the crossbar. The second was a dreadful attempt at a “Panenka” that flopped into the goalkeeper’s arms. The third flew off target because of an unfortunate slip.
Three embarrassing penalty misses have summed up Fulham’s miserable start to life back in the English Premier League, so hopes weren’t exactly high when the team was awarded another against Leicester on Monday.
This time, no mistake.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins scores Villa's late equalizer but after a VAR review it is disallowed for offside during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at the London stadium in London, England, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein, Pool)
Ivan Cavaleiro — one of the spot kick culprits from previous matches — stepped up and curled his effort high into the net for a goal that ultimately proved the winner at King Power Stadium.
A 2-1 victory was only Fulham’s second in 10 games since promotion back to the top-flight and it lifted the team out of the relegation zone.
It also ended Fulham’s penalty nightmare.
Aston Villa's Trezeguet receives medical treatment during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at the London stadium in London, England, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein, Pool)
“I didn’t feel pressure,” said Cavaleiro, who slipped before shanking a penalty over the bar in last week’s 3-2 home loss to Everton. “That happens in football and the manager just gave me confidence to take it and I did.”
A penalty proved to be pivotal in Monday’s late match, with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins hitting the bar with a second-half effort to allow West Ham to hold on for a 2-1 win at its Olympic Stadium.
Watkins also had a stoppage-time goal ruled out by the video assistant referee when his outstretched arm was adjudged to have made him offside before he turned in a cross from the left. It was an agonizing wait for Watkins and Villa's players as the VAR deliberated over the narrow decision.
Leicester missed the chance to move level on points with first-placed Tottenham and second-placed Liverpool. Villa could have jumped into the top four with a win.
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Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80