Rode Duivel's young keeper under fire after own goal

Mike Penders, the 21‑year‑old Belgian goalkeeper of Chelsea, did not forget his first start in the Premier League for long after he headed a cross into his own net against Tottenham, a mistake that the British press harshly condemned and produced scores ranging from 2 to 5 out of 10.

Harsh judgment from the British press

The British press was particularly harsh. The Sun gave the Belgian a painful 2 out of 10, while the BBC and Express Sport both recorded a 4 out of 10. was slightly milder with a 5 out of 10 and praised two good saves.

The Athletic called the evening a nightmare and labelled it an absolute shock. The newspaper emphasized that the own‑goal situation was hard to forgive and that Penders did not always react to crosses with full confidence.

Alonso backs the young keeper

Alonso, the Spanish coach of Chelsea, tried to protect the young goalkeeper. “That’s football. It’s about doing great things, but also about bouncing back after difficult moments,” he said after the match.

The Spaniard emphasized that Chelsea will continue to support Penders and highlighted his potential and maturity. He stated that a single mistake does not have to cause lasting damage for a young keeper.

Chelsea play Wednesday against Liverpool in the fourth round of the League Cup. With Emiliano Martinez out due to a jaw fracture, Penders is likely to remain in goal, giving him a quick new opportunity.

Analyst Daniel Sturridge described the mistake as monumental, but said he does not want to write off Penders. He reminded that every goalkeeper experiences painful evenings.

The contrast between the harsh numbers from the press and the protective tone of Xavi Alonso shows that a young Red Devil keeper, despite a low rating, still receives confidence from his club. How long that support lasts will be revealed by the upcoming League Cup match.