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‘This is a HUGE mistake’: Peter Crouch criticizes Kepa after Chelsea goalkeeper’s mistake allowed Carlos Vincius to head in Fulham’s 2-1 win in West London derby
- Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Fulham in their Premier League clash on Thursday.
- Kepa was caught in an awkward position when the winning goal was scored.
- Peter Crouch accused him of making a ‘big mistake’ when the ball flew over him
- Blues boss Graham Potter admitted it was a “frustrating” goal to concede
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa has been heavily criticized for the role he played in Fulham’s second goal on Thursday night.
The Blues experienced a torrid night on Thursday in which they lost 2-1 while their star debutant Joao Félix received a red card and three game suspension.
While Chelsea produced some quality moments, Fulham’s second goal was a low point, as Kepa was caught in no man’s land while defending a Carlos Vinicius free header from Andreas Pereira’s excellent cross.
Chelsea lost 2-1 in their Premier League clash with Fulham on Thursday night
Blues goalkeeper Kepa was caught in an awkward position when the winning goal was scored.
Chelsea have now won just once in their last eight games in all competitions.
Rather than go all the way to claim the ball or stay on his line to save the header, the goalkeeper stayed in the middle and was easily beaten.
Peter Crouch was particularly damning about the mistake, telling BT Sports: “It’s a massive mistake by Kepa. If he stays in his line, it’s such a tough header. [for Vinicius, but he’s given him an open goal. Even if Kepa makes a decision to come out, you’ve got to come all the way.’
Fellow pundit Joe Cole also questioned why the forward’s marker, Trevor Chalobah, had allowed so much room, but agreed much of the blame lay with Kepa.
Graham Potter admitted the second Fulham goal was a ‘frustrating’ one to concede
‘How on earth does Vinicius find himself in this area of the pitch with a free header at goal? The glaring error is Kepa. If he reads the flight of the ball, gets in goal, [Vinicius] can’t score. If he stays in his line, it’s a hard header,” she said.
The result represents a victory in eight games for Graham Potter’s men, and leaves them tenth in the Premier League.
Despite the loss, the manager was reluctant to talk about Kepa, saying after the match: ‘I never like to talk about individuals when we lose. I think the goal itself was frustrating from our perspective.
Peter Crouch accused Kepa of making a ‘big mistake’ by giving Carlos Vinicius an easy goal
‘I didn’t think they were putting too much pressure on us, even though they had the extra man.
“It felt like a bit of a soft goal to concede and that’s something we have to do better with.”
Chelsea are next in action when they take on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.