Kepa Arrizabalaga was slammed after conceding an ‘absolutely ludicrous’ penalty which cost AFC Bournemouth victory against Tottenham in the Premier League.
Bournemouth were on course to boost their Champions League qualification chances after going 2-0 up in north London on Sunday, courtesy of goals from Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson.
Spurs were slumping toward yet another defeat when Pape Matar Sarr’s wayward cross deceived goalkeeper Kepa – on loan from Chelsea – and looped into the back of the net.
Then, in the final few minutes, Son Heung-min was played into the box and won a penalty after Kepa rushed out and tripped up the Tottenham captain.
The keeper’s embarrassment was complete after he dived to save the penalty, only for Son to gently roll the ball down the middle of the goal.
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The Cherries were the better side for much of the game but were forced the share the points with Kepa coming under fire for his mistake.
‘It is absolutely ludicrous from Kepa. What are you doing? Madness from the goalkeeper,’ former Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘As soon as Kepa touches Son you can see the regret in his face. It is harsh on Bournemouth.
‘Great penalty from Son, he waited for the goalkeeper to go down. Bournemouth will be kicking themselves.
‘Tottenham didn’t learn from their mistakes, somehow they come out with a point from this game. A crazy game – it was so frantic.’
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said Kepa was ‘frustrated’ with conceding the decisive penalty.
‘I think Son is smart. He goes to one side and forces the contact but Kepa gives the referee an option.
‘We played well and pressed well but we have to capitalise. We were winning and we need to kill the game.
‘The first goal we conceded is a matter of luck but the second one we should do better, defend better, it’s a cheap penalty to concede.’
Kepa, the most expensive goalkeeper in history, has had a good season on loan at the Vitality, conceding just 29 goals in 24 games and keeping six clean sheets.
His efforts have helped Bournemouth reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and eighth in the Premier League, five points off the top four.
The 30-year-old will next be in action this Saturday evening when the Cherries host Brentford.
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