New Delhi: It was a goal-galore during Tottenham Hotspur’s win against Manchester United in the EFL Cup. Both goalkeepers came under scrutiny as seven goals were scored in the game. Altay Bayindir for Man United and Fraser Forster for Tottenham are second-choice goalkeepers for their respective teams.
Both the goalkeepers were responsible for two goals that their side conceded and got the game standing in a precarious position. Before the hour mark, Tottenham were 3-0 in the game and were in a comfortable position. United scored twice to make the scoresheet go 3-2, adding drama.
Goalkeepers blunders as it unfolded
United had conceded in just 15 minutes from a Dominic Solanke strike. Bayindir, coming in place of regular keeper Andre Onana, warded away Pedro Porro’s 25-yard straight to Solanke, who had no trouble in putting his side ahead. Critics noted that the ball needed to be pushed away from the danger zone, and the error put Man United under immense pressure. While the defenders could have been more active, in the end, the keeper made the blunder.
While Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski were put the side in command, it was Forster, deputizing for an injured Guglielmo Vicario in recent times, who had almost handed United back the match. Having made a sensational save against a Joshua Zirkzee header, the 36-year-old was outdone by the United striker.
After receiving a pass from Archie Gray, being under pressure from Joshua Zirkzee, Forster passed the ball straight to Bruno Fernandes, who deflected the ball to Zirkzee, taking the score to 3-1. Clearly, Forster lacked game awareness and looked uncomfortable with the ball at his feet.
Just seven minutes later, Forster received another back pass from Archie Gray and delayed his response with the ball, which was enough for Amad Diallo to slide in Forster’s attempt to clear, but he ended up deflecting back into the goal. For a veteran keeper in the Premier League, this was something no one expected.
That was enough for United to put Spurs in a state of panic for the next few minutes. As the Red Devils searched for their equalizer, Diallo made another shot at the goal from distance. Forster was clearly underconfident and instead booted the ball away, like a defender would. However, this was still acceptable from the former English international. At 6ft 7in, he barely had time to get down and collect.
Still, United’s players were on the edge of the Spurs penalty box, ready to charge in case Forster took a short goal kick. His long goal-kicks were being cheered by the home side’s fans. It looked like United would score their equalizer soon. However, that is when the tale changed again.
Son Heung-Min’s corner went straight over the head of Bayindir, who failed to punch the ball away and gave Spurs a 4-2 lead. Bayindir protested, claiming that he was fouled by Tottenham’s Lucas Bergcall, who touched his arm. The referee however, didn’t agree to this and gave the goal.
Future of Altay Bayindir and Fraser Forster
While that should have been the game, United’s sub, Jonny Evans, was headed to the near post. Though Forster could have saved, it was one of the more forgivable mistakes he had made in the game.
After the game, Bayindir was seen arguing with the match officials, with Onana next to him. The 26-year-old clearly will not make it into the side based on this performance as long as Onana is in the squad. This goes for Spurs as well, who will bring back Vicario as soon as he is ready to play. While Agne Postecoglou defended Forster and noted he was under pressure, there would be little for him to be the number one choice for the Lillywhites.
Amorim, on the other hand didn’t put any blame on Bayindir, who was playing in just his fourth game for the club in the last 18 months.
In a game where seven goals were conceded, Altay Bayindir and Fraser Forster were responsible for four of those goals as Tottenham Hotspur took home a close win from Manchester United in EFL Cup quarter-final. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
