Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg has remarkably saved a second penalty against Man City, this time thwarting Sergio Aguero from the spot.
Saving one penalty in a match is a feat on its own, but stopping two from the spot is nothing short of miraculous. That’s just what Maarten Stekelenburg did against Manchester City. The dutch keeper saved from Kevin de Bruyne in the first half and Sergio Aguero in the second.
Telegraphing this particular penalty, Aguero has endured some recent difficulties from the spot.
Stekelenburg was able to get an early jump on it, pouncing to his left and parrying the ball at full stretch. The ball was struck at a perfect height for Stekelenburg to save it, but let’s not take anything from the Dutch keeper.
Already saving one penalty, he had the wherewithal, agility, speed and intuition to outduel Aguero.
Are you wondering if any keepers have saved two penalties in a game before?
Yes, they have. In fact, at least six keepers have saved three penalties in a single game, which is as astonishing as it is impressive. Or, it could simply be perceived as extremely poor penalty taking, but we’ll assume the former.
Adam Bogdan accomplished the feat for Liverpool in a cup game against Carlisle in 2015, which was the most recent occurrence on English soil.
The Toffees, thanks to Stekelenburg’s heroics, stole a point from City in the most unlikely of 1-1 draws.
Everton were, as many expected going into the fixture, comprehensively dominated by City’s fluid, expansive possession game. But for all their possession and dominance, City have dropped two vital points in the title race.
It’s a home result Pep Guardiola will be incensed about, especially due to his team’s inability to put Everton away. The enigmatic manager has already made emphatic his opinion about missed penalties, so two in the same game will amplify his despair.
Man City still retain their place atop the Premier League table after this result, but are forced to share it with Arsenal, who beat Swansea in a thrilling 3-2 game at the Emirates.