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Ouattara’s Panenka saved as Brentford lose to ‘flawless’ West Ham in penalty shootout

Dango Ouattara’s Panenka was saved as Brentford lose to a ‘flawless’ West Ham side in a penalty shootout on Monday night.

The Hammers progress through to the FA Cup quarter-finals, after Ouattara had a moment to forget, a weak dink easily saved by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

In normal time, Igor Thiago twice cancelled out goals by Jarrod Bowen. Brentford, who fielded a strong side, were dumped out by a much-changed West Ham, who won 5-3 on spot kicks.

The Panenka penalty has got those at BBC Sport asking… “Is there a right time for a Panenka”. I’m sure everyone else is thinking the same, especially how often we see them being ending this way.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews, speaking to BBC Sport, said: “It was a proper cup tie. They took the lead and in the first half we didn’t hit the heights we could and should’ve done but in the second half we got back into the game.

“Extra time, we huffed and puffed and when you get to penalty kicks, it is not a toss of a coin but you need luck. They took theirs very well and unfortunately we missed one.

“With a goalkeeper like Caoimhin, you feel he will save one and their penalties have to be good and they were.”

On Dango Ouattara’s missed Panenka: “When you miss a penalty it is a tough moment, but it is easier to not take a penalty than take a penalty. We’ve had it in the past when people have been persecuted and ridiculed for missing a penalty on the biggest stage and that’s ridiculous.

“He practices that technique a lot and will have the utmost support from me and everyone around.

“We really wanted to get through to the quarter-final but it was not to be. But we have nine games left where we can push on and do something special.”

He said: “No, I’m not annoyed at all. When you miss a penalty it is a tough moment, but it is easier to not take a penalty than take a penalty.

“It takes serious courage to do that. He practises that technique a lot, if it goes in everyone’s raving about him.

“We’ve had it in the past when people have been persecuted and ridiculed for missing a penalty on the biggest stage and that’s ridiculous.

“He will have the utmost support from me and everyone around.”

 Joe Cole told TNT: “He [Dango Ouattara] looked so confident, he took his time and looked in complete control and he did that – it’s unexplainable.

“He was outstanding, really good, but that does not matter when you miss a penalty in a shootout. You don’t want to chastise the lad – I hope he doesn’t do it again in his career.”

Glenn Hoddle, added: “He took so long. I think he had a thousand thoughts going through his mind and when you’re like that as a taker you miss. The young lad will absolutely regret trying the Panenka at that time.”

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to TNT Sports: “Very, very proud of the boys, very, very proud of the fans. The fans deserve this moment of joy the way they support through bad times and keep supporting the team. I think we did a good job.

“The players were delighted in the dressing room, tired but delighted, because it was a tough one. Brentford is an amazing team but we contained them, controlled them and created a lot of chances.

“It was a good game, an entertaining game and intense. Both teams were going for the goal, it was open. It was good to see and in the end we are happy that it [the result] came to us.”

On players making an impact with their opportunity tonight: “That is what the squad is for. The boys are working really hard. Many of them work very hard during the week and then after they do not get the prize of playing. Sometimes it is unfair but the squad gave a good answer, so I’m delighted.”

On taking this result back into their recent league form: “Now we have to rest knowing that Saturday we are going to face a tough one, but we are confident again in our stadium. The boys are enjoying playing in the London Stadium, the atmosphere is good. Again we expect a tough one but we want to compete and our situation requires the best of each one of us.”

Nuno speaking to the BBC: “We are happy, we are delighted, that we achieved what we proposed to do. It was a tough match but it was a fantastic atmosphere, the London Stadium is helping us so much, so I think we deserved to give this moment of happiness to our fans.

“We started well. It was a very tight game, Brentford are a very good team but in the second half we had the chances to put the game to bed, but the final pass or the final combination didn’t come through. Then we allowed the transition for Brentford which put us with 30 minutes and then penalties. The answer of the squad was good, we made a lot of changes and the players that came in helped, so it’s positive.

“I believe the FA Cup helps in terms of motivation, in terms of everybody being switched on, knowing that they are going to have the chance to play. During the week many of the players work very hard and then we cannot reward them in the game and sometimes it is unfair. Having the FA Cup alongside the situation in the league will help the squad work even more and compete even more, we need all the players.”

On Summerville’s injury: “Let’s assess him. He felt a knock. I don’t know exactly what he has. It is concerning but hopefully we recover with this moment of joy. We’ll get better, we’ll be faster and we will be able to compete against City.

“Enjoy for a couple of hours and then refocus, recover well and respect your body. It was a big effort from a lot of the players. Then we have to go again.”

On being a game away from Wembley: “Like I said, it keeps everybody alive, not dreaming but believing that it is possible to achieve something great brings the best out of them.”

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen speaking to TNT Sports: “It’s a special feeling. I go back to the QPR game [n the third round] where, I don’t want to say our season started, but we knew that was the chance to really turn the season around and give us confidence and belief. We have done that in the Premier League, we have picked up points and good results, and tonight was the same.

“It was important to put in a good performance. We knew it was going to be a difficult game. Every FA Cup game we’ve had has gone to extra-time now, but we want to get to the final. We want silverware at this club. You can see it up there [on the stand] how many times they have won the FA Cup and it is a dream of mine to win it. Of course we’ve got a long way to go yet but tonight is a really big night for everyone involved.

“As you can see confidence comes from winning games. Ok we didn’t win the game on the night but we won it on penalties which makes it a little bit more special. Phonse [Areola] saved one, the lads put theirs away really well and you can hear it and see it.

“We haven’t been good enough this season but we are coming into the business end of it now and we’ve got a big game coming up on Saturday, we are into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and things are on the up for us. We have to keep doing it, keep demanding it and keep raising the level.”

On Leeds in the last eight: “Leeds are a really good side and will want to do well in the FA Cup as well, but we saw what we did at home today against a Premier League side so that is whenever it is. We have two really big games before the international break that we want to go and get maximum points from.

“Now it’s about rest because 120 minutes isn’t good for anyone. We go and rest, play at the weekend, play Aston Villa and hopefully go into the break with two results.”

 Bowen speaking to the BBC: “That is what we have needed, a bounce back, a lift. I go back to the QPR game which was almost a season changing moment for us, going through again in extra time, and then going to Tottenham and playing Sunderland and we won those games. Sometimes it can take a game like that to really turn your season around and we have been improving week by week.

“Tonight again we faced another side that are really difficult to play against and it took penalties to get there but you see the celebrations at the end, players, fans, everyone enjoying it. It’s what this club has missed this season.”

On leading by example with his goals: “I enjoy scoring goals and I enjoy being captain of this club. It has not been an easy season, you are the captain and the questions are going to come to you, so you have to step up and answer. Maybe I haven’t done it as well as I would have liked the last few weeks but I never hide away from a situation. I always try to stand up and be counted. I know goals will come in my game and thankfully tonight I got two goals and it helped us to win the game.”

He continued: Ultimately confidence comes from results and comes from performances. In that QPR game we went through it all, 120 minutes, 2-1. The additions that we have brought in and the group that we have got now, everyone is ready. Everyone is chomping at the bit. You see players coming in today that haven’t played for a couple of weeks and they come in and put in peformances like that.

“So that is a really good thing to have as a group, everyone buying into it and being a real team. In this situation we are in you need people to work hard and you need a team around you. I feel like we have a team.

“There is a lot to play for. I’m not sure when that FA Cup game is but we have two games before the break, Man City at home and Aston Villa away, they are two really good games for us and we can use that in our momentum. We are in a good place, the fans are in a good place and we can make it difficult on Saturday for them [City] before going away to Aston Villa and then continue the business end of the season.”


Here’s what fans are saying after Ouattara’s Panenka gets saved as Brentford lose to ‘flawless’ West Ham in a penalty shootout…

@hr_wfc: When was the last time someone scored one of these? Genuinely

@lukebfc_: 40m for this twat. nothing gets my head hotter than a fucking cocky panenka pen, make him walk home

@sashcfc: What would possess you to do a Panenka in a penalty shootout? 😭

@AllThingsBlades: Genuinely so stupid hahahaha

@saintmattc: Feel sorry for all you Brentford fans that have gone to the game and were dreaming of getting to Wembley. You dont mind losing but that penalty was an absolute disgrace. Dock him his wages and use it to pay those fans back that attended.

@GW1889: My head is genuinely on mars. What the fuck was he thinking.

@kendallrowanx: Nothing angers me more

@TheEalingRoad: Incredibly frustrating evening and it feels like we’ve just thrown a potential Wembley appearance away tbh with a favourable QF draw. Not gonna single out Dango too much because I think he had a decent game, particularly first half, but when you go for the Panenka and it doesn’t come off, you just look like an idiot… Thought we huffed and puffed throughout but again looked leggy in possession and didn’t look like scoring in the second half until the pen. Need to sort out the defending of our box, particularly Kayode who looks likely to give pens away every game atm. Just the league to focus on now – nine finals incoming 🙏

@WestHam_Central: How do you lose to our reserves 😂😂

@AlexMayers94: Dango should be fined for that, cost us the game because he wanted to look fancy.

@BrentfordHive: My word that was poor, what was Dango thinking

@darylwhu: The sportsmanship for him to chip that penalty back to the keeper will be remembered 🫡 What a gesture 👏🏼

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