Even if the ball had gone in, Bournemouth’s penalty from Saturday afternoon thanks to Dominic Solanke would not have been valid. At the Vitality Stadium, Solanke’s spot-kick against Sheffield United was well beyond the crossbar.
Tom Davies had fouled Solanke inside the area, and he had stepped up to the spot. However, Solanke slipped and skied his penalty over the bar, just as Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers were hoping for a strong start to the weekend.
The England international’s left leg buckled as he planted it during his run-up, according to replays. His 12-yard try with his right foot ultimately went over after deflecting up off his other foot. But it would have been disqualified if the ball had somehow made it into the net.
This is due to the fact that the Premier League’s application of FIFA regulations expressly prohibit a penalty taker from touching the ball twice without someone else doing so. The opposing side is awarded an indirect free-kick if they succeed and the ball enters. There is no opportunity for the attacking team to reclaim the penalty.
This time, the rule did not have to be followed because Solanke was unable to hit the target. But in Fulham’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle last season, Aleksandar Mitrovic was an unfortunate victim when his penalty was nullified.
After missing the field in game-week 28, Solanke was captained by almost two million managers, which infuriated the FPL community. Despite a knee problem that has hindered his ability to train, he led the line for the Cherries despite being a little injury doubt prior to the game.
Prior to the Sheffield United game, the 26-year-old striker had scored 14 goals in the Premier League. Prior to this past weekend, only Erling Haaland (18), Ollie Watkins (16), and Mohamed Salah (15) had scored more goals than him.
Gustavo Hamer’s goal on minute 27 put the Blades ahead 1-0 at halftime, with Bournemouth trailing. Jack Robinson gave the visitors a two-goal lead, and Solanke’s goal was disallowed for handball following a VAR review.
The South Coast club, who had only won one of their previous eight league games going into today, is currently ranked 13th following a slump in form.
Pre-match, Andoni Iraola acknowledged as much: “We have performed significantly better away from home in terms of both results and perception, so it is something that worries me a little bit. This is not the norm in most cases.
Normally, you would take the majority of the points home, but we’re doing the exact opposite. We still have several excellent games to play at home where we may win. We haven’t performed as well at home as we have when we have been away.
“There are undoubtedly causes. Whether we play at home or away, we use the same approach and employ the same strategies. However, when we play at home, we need to come out more stronger and put pressure on the opposition.
