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11th Mar 2017

Twitter left dumbfounded after Bournemouth miss *two* first-half penalties against West Ham

First time it's happened in nearly two decades

Tom Victor

West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph had a dreadful record against Bournemouth before today, and it certainly seems like luck is rarely on his side against the Cherries.

The Irish international had conceded 20 goals in his last four games against Eddie Howe’s side – 16 in three appearances for Birmingham and four last season as Bournemouth got the upper hand in a seven-goal thriller at Upton Park.

But he’ll have hoped the tide is beginning to turn after the home side squandered not one but two opportunities from the penalty spot in the first half at the Vitality Stadium.

Josh King converted from 12 yards against Manchester United last week, but this time around he slotted wide after sending Randolph the wrong way.

Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

Michail Antonio put the visitors ahead less than 60 seconds later, but King brought the home side level not long after.

Then, about 10 minutes before the break, José Fonte brought down Marc Pugh and referee Bobby Madley pointed to the spot for a second time.

King wasn’t running the risk of repeating Saido Berahino’s misfortune for West Brom last season and left spot-kick duties to Benik Afobe, only for the ex-Arsenal striker to see his tame penalty held by Randolph.

The reaction on Twitter was a mix of shock, sympathy and schadenfreude, depending on your allegiances.

https://twitter.com/muzrobertson/status/840587736759308289

They might not be the first team to miss two Premier League penalties in the same game of late, but they’re the first this century to do so in the first half of a game.

And, of course, there were plenty of Manchester United fans cursing their luck that Bournemouth’s penalty struggles didn’t begin seven days sooner.

https://twitter.com/danielallen1410/status/840587936143929345

https://twitter.com/NathanCharles89/status/840587848835309568

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