“Has there been a worse performance from two goalkeepers in the same game ever?”
That was the question posed by former Liverpool defender and Sky pundit Jamie Carragher after Tottenham’s Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Manchester United.
It was a match in which United’s expected goals (xG) was 2.38 and actual goals were three – and Tottenham scored four goals from just 0.67 xG.
The keepers in question were second-choices Altay Bayindir of Manchester United and Fraser Forster of Tottenham.
They were each directly responsible for two goals, while one shot which didn’t actually end up in the net was kept out by a save which had commentators literally laughing out loud.
So what happened?
Bayindir’s parry helps Spurs lead
It felt like the story of the game was going to be something else entirely after Tottenham took a 3-0 lead.
The first goal saw Bayindir, given a chance in the cup over usual number one Andre Onana, parry Pedro Porro’s 25-yard shot straight to Dominic Solanke to slot in.
“The goalkeeper has to push that wide, he cannot push that back into the danger zone,” said ex-United captain Gary Neville on Sky Sports.
“You could argue the United defenders are sleeping, but as a keeper you have got to make sure that goes out.”
Dejan Kulusevski and Solanke again seemingly put Tottenham in control.
Forster takes matters into own hands… well, feet
But 36-year-old Forster, deputising in recent weeks for the injured Guglielmo Vicario, took centre stage.
Moments after making an outstanding save to keep out Joshua Zirkzee’s header, he was caught out by the United striker.
Forster received a pass from Archie Gray and under some pressure from Zirkzee, passed the ball straight to United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes picked out Zirkzee via a deflection and it was an easy finish for 3-1.
“He is not amazing with the ball at his feet, Fraser Forster, but he hasn’t even looked where Bruno Fernandes is,” said Neville.
“He is not aware at all.”
Former Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown, watching for BBC Radio 5 Live, said: “He gets given a difficult ball but then he tries to be too calm and cool.
“He plays it right to Fernandes, it’s an awful mistake from the goalkeeper. Just take a touch, clear it away.”
‘One of the most Tottenham things you will see’
It got worse seven minutes later. Forster again received a backpass from Gray, took too long on the ball and as Amad Diallo slid in Forster’s attempted clearance ricocheted back into the goal.
That was 3-2.
“Ange Postecoglou is looking down to the ground in shock and disbelief,” said Brown.
“Forster takes far too long. Diallo just slides in and takes a risk, and because of the poor tempo of the goalkeeper he gets in front of it and the ball flies into the net. You can’t make mistakes like that at this level.”
Neville added: “This is one of the most Tottenham things you will see. Oh Fraser, he thinks he has time and an age.
“But Amad closes down with unbelievable tenacity and he goes for it.”
‘It’s like when an outfield player goes in net’
Those two United goals sparked a proper panicky spell from both Spurs and Forster.
As the visitors piled forward in search of an equaliser, Diallo took aim with a speculative shot from distance that was heading straight at the ex-England keeper.
Instead of getting down to keep the ball out with his hands, however, Forster booted it away with his feet like a defender clearing off his own line.
In Forster’s defence, Carragher said afterwards it was a good save because the 6ft 7in keeper would not have been able to get down in time.
“We all burst out laughing, but there’s no way he could’ve got his hands down so quickly,” he said.
At the time, Neville was less forgiving.
“It’s like when an outfield player goes in net at the end of training,” he said on co-commentary. “They don’t want to break their hands so they just whack it clear.”
The chaotic series of events led to United’s players standing on the edge of the Spurs box ready to charge in if Forster took it short – which he did once – while home fans cheered when he went long another time.
But Bayindir bails Forster out
It really felt at that stage as if United were going to score an equaliser.
But Son Heung-min’s corner flew straight over the head of Bayindir, who tried and failed to punch it away, and into the back of the net to put Spurs 4-2 up.
The Turkey international insisted he was fouled by Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall, who touched his arm, but the referee disagreed and the goal stood.
“There is a slight arm on his left arm, that’s what he’s asking for,” said BBC pundit Brown.
“But ironically he goes to punch it with his right arm and misses the ball. He should easily take that, no danger at all.”
There was still time for one more goal with United sub Jonny Evans heading past Forster at the near post. He could have saved it perhaps, but it ranked low on the list of things goalkeepers should have done better in the game.
‘Sometimes they stuff up just like I do and you do’
After the game Bayindir continued to argue with the officials with Onana next to him. The Cameroonian will not be worried about losing his place on the back of this performance.
Likewise, usual Spurs number one Vicario, on crutches, spoke to Forster, who has started the last seven games.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou told Sky Sports: “The first one affected Fraser and then the second one came as a result of that.”
Later, speaking generally, he said: “It’s part of football, mistakes will happen.
“You’re asking for perfection in human beings and that doesn’t exist. Sometimes they stuff up just like I do and you do.”
The Australian was asked again about the goalkeeper in his post-match news conference.
“He is disappointed because he was outstanding for us. Even with his feet, he found some great solutions,” he said.
Amorim, meanwhile, did not attribute any blame to Bayindir, who was making only his fourth appearance in 18 months for the club.