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Spurs hero Gomes changes spots
Brazilian keeper reveals how he ignored coaches’ advice on Bent penalty save
WEEKS of careful preparation almost resulted in Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes costing his side three points on Saturday, the Brazilian shot-stopper has revealed.
Gomes produced a match-changing penalty save in the 2-0 victory over Sunderland at White Hart Lane – but only because he ignored the advice given to him during the build-up to the game.
The erratic keeper said he’d been studying former team-mate Darren Bent’s spot-kicks all week and had been told by coaches that if the striker stepped up to take a spot-kick, he should dive the other way.
Gomes revealed: “The club had shown me the last eight penalties Darren had taken. He normally goes to the keeper’s right, but on this occasion he went left.
“He changed his mind. Luckily I waited for him to make his decision and got it right.”
The crucial moment came in the 51st minute when Gomes raced off his line and clattered in to Bent, leaving referee Kevin Friend little choice but to point to the spot.
Gomes saved the spot-kick – and his blushes – to complete a man-of-the-match performance that had the home crowd singing his name.
“The penalty save was a great moment for us and me personally,” he said. “I was pleased with the stop and it was so important for everyone because we needed this win for the sake of our league position.”
Along with the penalty save, Gomes also did brilliantly to foil a dangerous cross from Fraizer Campbell before denying Kieran Richardson what looked like a certain equaliser.
“Sunderland played very well in the second half,” Gomes added.
“They have a very good side and put us under a lot of pressure, but we stuck together. It’s a great win for us because we lost the last two league games but now we’re back to winning ways and back in the top four.” |
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