Dempsey miss leaves West London derby even
- by Soccer America , Feb 14, 2011
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Clint Dempsey had a chance to give Fulham a major upset win over Chelsea and break his single-season
EPL scoring record, but keeper Petr Cech stopped his weak effort from the penalty spot in stoppage time and gave Chelsea a 0-0 tie with the Cottagers.
Dempsey, who has nine goals this season, was fouled by David Luiz when he burst down the right side of the penalty area in the third and final minute of
stoppage time and the otherwise excellent Brazilian defender took him down.
Cech dived to his right and stopped Dempsey’s shot and then watched as the American's bicycle kick on the
rebound sailed wide.
Fulham coach Mark Hughes said Dempsey should have had another chance because of Didier Drogba's obvious encroachment.
"Drogba was
encroaching in the box," he said. "[Referee] Mike Dean saw it: he was alongside Clint as he kicked it. Mike Dean saw that, so it should have been retaken."
The tie left
Chelsea, the defending champion, 12 points behind Premier League leader Manchester United in fifth place.
The otherwise excellent brazilian defender got burned and give Dempsey some credit. Some great players have missed P.K.'s This was not a Final but it was a big game. I did not see the encroachment but if it was blatant the ref is to fault. Ive had and seen many retakes due to encroachment. Non the less Dempsey has to score those clutch P.K.s but at least he burned the otherwise brilliant brazilian defender which probably would have been a goal if not fouled. Im not saying this is an excuse to miss a P.K. but give Fulham some credit for a close match with a Top tier premier league team.
This is soccer america. We are suppossed to be supporting USA SOCCER