A roundup of the top stories from the goalkeeping world between the 1st and 8th of December, 2024.
Header image via Yahoo.
As we enter the festive football season amidst an array of fixtures, let's reflect on another eventful week in goalkeeping.
A new goalkeeper time wasting rule could come into effect in top leagues
Under guidance from IFAB, goalkeepers could be punished differently if they hold onto the ball for more than eight seconds.
Football's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), are trialing a new rule to combat time-wasting by goalkeepers. Currently, goalkeepers have six seconds to release the ball, with violations punishable by an indirect free kick.
However, this rule is rarely - if ever - enforced, and it is yellow cards which are more often produced.
The proposed rule extends the limit to eight seconds and introduces a more likely penalty: awarding the opposing team a corner kick or throw-in if the goalkeeper exceeds the eight second time limit. This change aims to discourage time-wasting by providing a clearer and harsher consequence. Referees would signal the countdown starting at five seconds, and repeated offenses could result in yellow cards.
The rule alteration has reportedly been trialled successfully in the Premier League’s U21 league. The Times has further reported that that if another trial in Italy’s U20 league is effective in stopping goalkeepers from wasting time unnecessarily then it will likely be adopted across the senior game and beyond.
Henderson's ‘unbelievable save’ denies Haaland
The champions travelled to Selhurst Park in a three o’clock kick-off against a struggling Crystal Palace side on Saturday and the Citizens poor away form shone through in the opening embers. Daniel Munoz put the home side one nil up after four minutes, but City’s threat was reinvigorated as they looked for an equaliser.
Paul Merson could be heard shouting on Soccer Saturday, ‘What a save!’ in typically exuberant Merse fashion as Tim Sherwood described the Aston Villa game. The former Arsenal midfielder described the save; De Bruyne played through Haaland whose shot was saved by Henderson’s face! It was an ultimately important save as Palace won an crucial point which could define the title race and its outcome, further adding to Pep Guardiola's woes.
Mbappe denied from penalty spot twice in a row
Despite being regarded as the best player in the world by many, life at Real Madrid has been far from easy for Kylian Mbappe. During Los Blancos' Champions League game at Anfield, Mbappe was denied from the spot by Kelleher as the Anfield faithful burst into celebration. Real Madrid ultimately lost that game, leaving them in an awkward and disappointing position in the league phase table.
Mbappe did score in his next game against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu, but it was his performance and Real’s result against Athletic Bilbao which broke the headlines.
The Frenchman stepped up to the spot in the 67th minute to draw his side level but Julen Agirrezabala brilliantly saved the effort as he dived to his left. The Champions League holders couldn’t find any points, despite Bellingham’s equaliser, as Los Leones took all three points. Will Mbappe adapt to life in Spain, or will goalkeeping heroics continue to damage his reputation?
Alisson would not have been fit for Merseyside Derby, says Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson Becker, sidelined with a hamstring injury, is expected to return soon but will miss the upcoming Merseyside derby against Everton. Number two Caoimhin Kelleher has been filling in during Alisson's absence. Slot emphasized the importance of Alisson's recovery to the team's stability, but confirmed that it would have been Kelleher who would have started between the sticks at Goodison Park.
Southampton goalkeeper wants to fight for England call up
Joe Lumley has expressed his ambition to secure a call-up to the England national team following his Premier League debut at the age of 29. Lumley recently made his Premier League debut in Southampton’s 1-1 draw against Brighton, stepping up due to injuries to Aaron Ramsdale and Alex McCarthy. Previously, Lumley had only featured in cup competitions for the club but seized this chance to impress.
Lumley emphasized his dedication to improving and his dream of representing England, stating that “I want to play for England,” when speaking to the Daily Echo.
“I want to play at the best level there is and I’ll keep training hard to do that for the rest of my career."
Southampton manager Russell Martin praised Lumley's work ethic and professionalism, stating that his performance was well-deserved and not a "charity" selection.
However, Southampton have had a difficult season to date, with Lumley caught out trying to play out from the back in a 5-1 loss to Chelsea. His pass was intelligently intercepted by Noni Madueke. The Englishman set up Christopher Nkunku for an open goal on his first Premier League start of the season.
