Enzo Fernandez Denied Penalty as Chelsea Draw with West Ham
In a highly anticipated London derby between Chelsea and West Ham, Enzo Fernandez was denied the chance to put Chelsea ahead after his penalty was saved by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. The penalty call itself was contentious, with fans divided on whether it was a legitimate foul or not. However, for Fernandez, the focus was solely on putting the ball in the back of the net.
The incident occurred when Raheem Sterling was brought down by Tomas Soucek in the box, leading to the penalty. Fernandez, a 22-year-old Argentine midfielder, stepped up to take the spot-kick. With a big puff of the cheeks, he did a stop-start run-up before placing his penalty in the perfect spot for Areola to make the save low to his right. It was a miss that ensured the London derby remained 1-1 at halftime, following a closely-contested first half.
The controversial nature of the penalty call sparked a debate among fans. Some argued that it was never a penalty, while others claimed that Sterling had started going down outside the box, making it a free kick or a yellow card for diving. One fan even suggested that the referee and VAR officials should be sacked for not spotting that it was outside the box.
Despite Fernandez’s missed penalty, the game ended in disappointment for Chelsea as West Ham emerged victorious with a 3-1 win. Nayef Aguerd opened the scoring for West Ham with a powerful header from a James Ward-Prowse corner, but Carney Chukwuemeka’s well-taken effort leveled the game. However, Michail Antonio and Lucas Paqueta sealed the victory for West Ham.
Fernandez’s penalty miss raised questions about his ability to handle pressure situations. As a key part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning side last year, he was not tasked with taking penalties in the showpiece event against France. Perhaps Mauricio Pochettino, the manager of Argentina’s national team, had already seen signs of Fernandez’s struggles in penalty situations.
The match between Chelsea and West Ham was a highly anticipated fixture, with both teams aiming to secure valuable points early in the season. Chelsea, under the management of Thomas Tuchel, had a strong start to the season and were considered one of the favorites for the Premier League title. West Ham, led by David Moyes, were looking to build on their impressive campaign from the previous season.
In addition to the penalty incident, the match showcased the competitive nature of London derbies. Both teams displayed their attacking prowess and defensive resilience throughout the game. The result was a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
As the season progresses, both Chelsea and West Ham will be looking to maintain their strong form and compete for silverware. The Premier League is known for its unpredictability, and every point matters in the race for the title. Matches like the one between Chelsea and West Ham highlight the intensity and excitement that the league brings.
In conclusion, Enzo Fernandez’s missed penalty against West Ham was a significant moment in the London derby. The contentious nature of the penalty call sparked debate among fans, but ultimately, Fernandez’s inability to convert from the spot cost Chelsea a chance to take the lead. As the season continues, both Chelsea and West Ham will be aiming to build on their performances and compete at the highest level.