‘What about Mary Earps in the World Cup final?’ Football fans slam commentator Steve Bower for saying an English goalkeeper ‘hasn’t saved a penalty in ten years’ during North Macedonia match

• Read more: North Macedonia 1-1 England: Insipid Three Lions must do MUCH better than this to scare the rest of Europe… as Gareth Southgate’s men rely on an own goal to earn a draw in Skopje

Football fans watching England’s 1-1 draw against North Macedonia on Monday evening vented were left frustrated by commentator Steve Bowers – after he made a major omission while reciting statistics ahead of the game’s penalty. 

As North Macedonia’s Enis Bardhi stepped up to take a 41st minute spot-kick against Jordan Pickford – after he was hit in the face by rising England star Rico Lewis – commentator Steve Bower told those listening at home that it had been a decade since an England goalkeeper had saved a penalty. 

Bower told the Channel 4 audience: ‘You have have to go back ten years for the last England goalkeeper to save a penalty.’

He added: ‘Joe Hart in Doha, from Ronaldinho no less, against Brazil was the last England goalkeeper to save a penalty in normal play.’ 

On X, hundreds of people pointed out that the pundit had a short memory – forgetting the efforts of Mary Earps in the Women’s World Cup final this summer, with one furious fan saying: ‘Once again women don’t exist’. 

Jordan Pickford preparing to face a penalty from North Macedonia’s Enis Bardhi in last night’s Euros 2024 qualifying match, with commentator Steve Bower telling fans it had been a decade since an England goalkeeper had saved a penalty

The Lioness keeper famously shouted ‘f*** off!’ in the nerve-shredding encounter in August after saving Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty and promptly keeping the England women in the biggest match of their lives. 

Despite Spain eventually winning, Earps won the Golden Glove after being named the tournament’s best keeper. 

On X, many fans pointed out the heroics of Mary Earps in the Women’s World Cup final this summer – in which she kept a beleaguered England in the match after saving  Spain ‘s Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty

Commentators for the match Steve Bower, right, and Dion Dublin…but many on social media weren’t happy with Bower’s England goalkeeper stat

One person wrote on X: ‘No, Mr commentator, the last England goal keeper to save a penalty in open play was MARY EARPS in the bloody world cup final.’

Another added: ‘Not the commentator saying Joe Hart was the last England goalkeeper to save a pen?’.

One furious X user wrote: ‘”You have to go back 10 years to the last time an England goalkeeper saved a penalty” Sorry? Once again women do not exist.’ 

Others disputed whether the games could be compared, one wrote: ‘We don’t compare men’s 100m records directly against the women’s 100m, nor does Man City’s WSL standings have a bearing on the men’s equivalent. They are two different branches of the same sport.’

Jordan Pickford saved Enis Bardhi’s penalty but the ball rebounded straight into his path – giving North Macedonia the lead

In last night’s men’s game, England eventually drew the Euro 2024 qualifier – Bardhi’s penalty was saved but he scored from the follow-up. Harry Kane eventually drew England level.  

With their path to the finals as group winners already assured, manager Gareth Southgate was seemingly happy. 

He told reporters afterwards: ‘I felt the performance was good, the mentality was excellent and we totally controlled the game,.

‘The way they defended and the pitch didn’t make it easy to find the final pass.

Source: Read Full Article