This game had two sides on how a goalkeeper is viewed by the fans. One one hand, a goalkeeper can be the butt of all jokes and a villain for a silly mistake that cost their team the game.
On the other hand, you have a magnificent show by your goalkeeper that elevates him to hero status by, say, stopping a late minute penalty to maintain a result.
That is exactly what Heurelho Gomes experienced in Watford’s game against Bournemouth when Etienne Capoue took down Adam Smith in the area for a penalty in the 83rd minute of a 1-1 game.
Everything looked like Bournemouth would make this penalty in front of their home crowd and that Artur Boruc’s howler would be forgiven. However, Glenn Murray’s attempt was stuffed as Gomes guessed correctly and dove to his left side to deny Bournemouth a vital three points.
Take a look at Watford’s reckless play that led to the penalty and Heurelho Gomes’ fantastic diving stop:
Truly, a contrast in displays by opposing goalkeepers and Hornets’ fans will sing Gomes’ heroics, at least for today. The game would end in a 1-1 draw; with this result Watford and Bournemouth sit in 10th and 15th place in the Premier League respectively.
