Jamie Redknapp was among those to praise Cole Palmer’s ‘mind games’ after Bournemouth missed a penalty against Chelsea in their Premier League clash.
Bournemouth were the better team for much of Saturday night at the Vitality Stadium, but lacked a clinical edge, with the Blues snatching a late 1-0 win courtesy of Christopher Nkunku.
As half-time break neared, the Cherries were handed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock when Robert Sanchez fouled Evanilson in the box after the striker pounced on Wesley Fofana’s poor backpass.
Anthony Taylor had no choice but to point to the spot and after a lengthy discussion among the forwards, Evanilson stepped up to take the penalty.
But it was a poor effort with Sanchez guessing the right way and tipping the penalty wide of the post.
But fans were quick to notice that a certain Chelsea star was also among the Bournemouth players discussing who should take the spot-kick, with Palmer smiling away and chatting to the opposition.
‘Some managers I’ve worked with – Gerard Houllier was one – felt if you got fouled, he never wanted you to take the penalty. You’re just not in the right frame of mind,’ Liverpool icon Redknapp said on the penalty incident.
‘The Bournemouth players were having a chat about it… Palmer is trying to get into peoples’ heads, “are you going to take it?”.
‘Having a little discussion about it, trying to get into his head, all part of the psychology of football.
‘Be interesting to see how good his [Evanilson’s] English is. He hasn’t been here that long, he probably doesn’t understand Cole Palmer! He got the gist of it I’m sure!’
Palmer, who was a fitness doubt for this game, had an uncharacteristically quiet match but his role in the ultimately crucial penalty miss was hailed by supporters.
‘The Palmer mind games for the Bournemouth penalty,’ @Iewdawg posted on Twitter.
@PureMenace7 wrote: ‘Palmer also needs credit as got into penalty taker head’.
‘Cole Palmer with another assist…this time for a penalty save. Mind games.’ @presidentayoub added.
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