FOFANA’S PENALTY GOES POSTAL

Football Daily isn’t suggesting standards at Chelsea have slipped in recent years, but the quality of their players who miss penalties in shootouts against Liverpool certainly appears to be on the slide. Before last night, footballing royalty such as Arjen Robben, Geremi, Tammy Abraham, César Azpilicueta, Mason Mount and even goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had all missed from the spot in four consecutive post-match deciders against Liverpool across 19 years and four different competitions. On Wednesday, a flame-haired Argentinian irritant, a striker we’d never previously heard of before yesterday and a defensive liability whose boots increasingly look to have been welded on to the wrong feet each added their names to the roll of shame. Valentín Barco, Emanuel Emegha and Wesley Fofana, take a collective bow.

On a night when the two head coaches made a combined 11 changes to their starting lineups, it was Liverpool who advanced to the Fizzy Cup quarter-finals. Any remaining doubt that Liverpool would notch up yet another shootout win over Chelsea evaporated when Fofana’s penalty proved more of a threat to the windscreens of passing motorists on nearby Walton Breck Road than Giorgi Mamardashvili’s goal. “This is football, this is part of our job,” sighed Xabi Alonso, over the sound of screeching brakes and shattering glass. “We played with courage, the game was close with not many chances for both sides. It is a small setback because it is probably the least important competition for us.” Despite Alonso’s assessment of Fizzy Cup’s place in the domestic trophy pecking order being entirely correct, he has been accused of being disrespectful towards a competition that has previously staged its first round draw in a Morrisons supermarket and once seriously harboured notions of conducting a zero-gravity equivalent in outer space.

The Chelsea head coach is also accused of contemptuousness towards Estêvão, the young Brazilian tyro considered a certainty to start in the absence of Cole Palmer, but spent the evening looking increasingly forlorn on the bench. Despite repeated calls for the introduction of “Steve-oh!” from travelling Chelsea fans, Alonso elected not to use the 19-year-old, prompting rumours of some sort of rift. “I understand his situation and that he could be happier for sure,” he parped of a future superstar who has spent just 172 minutes on the pitch under his watch. “We have had some intense games and there will be moments for everything. I’m sure Estê will have his moment.”

As for Liverpool, progressing felt less like a triumph of tactical ingenuity and more like an unavoidable civic duty, on a par with renewing one’s car tax or desperately trying to get out of jury service. Their reward is a quarter-final tie at home to Bournemouth, setting up a potentially awkward reunion between Andoni Iraola and the club he left behind for bigger things. “Honestly, I was talking before the draw and I said: ‘The only team I don’t want is Bournemouth’,” he sighed. “For me, it’s special. They know me very well. They are playing very well lately, in a good moment but it is what it is.” On the bright side, with this being the lowly Fizzy Cup, he won’t have to pretend to be too upset when one of the two sides competing on four different fronts inevitably gets knocked out.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I am pleased that we have reached a resolution to settle these matters. While my return to the club did not work out as I had hoped, Derry City FC will always hold a special place in my heart. I want to thank the fans for their support, and I wish the squad, the management, staff, and the supporters the very best for the future” – James McClean and Derry City confirm they have reached a mutual agreement to terminate McClean’s contract with immediate effect. The forward had not played for the club since July.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

The reaction when Fleetwood made the final penalty was the best example I’ve ever seen of pandemonium! – Jim Geissman

A few random thoughts from one of the Wednesday fans who saw Harry Kane’s first goal at Orient (Tuesday’s Football Daily). Main after match conversation topics were how we’d shipped four goals in the second half, our new signing Gary Madine, and those people on the balconies of the new flats who watched the game for free. Without cameras I’d have no recall of Harry Kane’s goal but funnily enough I do genuinely remember Dean Cox having a very good game. We’ve talked about it loads since, but I don’t think any of us at the time thought Kane stood out in that game. Which just goes to show. A thoroughly deserved award for a career of consistent & often under-appreciated excellence. And what a superb motto: “Work in silence. Let success be your voice” – Alan.

If you have any, please send letters to [email protected]. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day goes to … Jim Geissman. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here. 

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