
Liverpool won their second trophy of the season this past weekend, beating Chelsea 6-5 on penalties to lift the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 2006.
In the shootout, Cesar Azpilicueta failed to convert Chelsea's second penalty and Liverpool winger Sadio Mane had a chance to win it but his kick was saved by his compatriot Edouard Mendy.
After Mason Mount surprisingly missed from the spot in sudden death, Tsimikas fired past the Chelsea goalkeeper for the winner.
Relive every moment of the penalty shootout from yesterday's #EmiratesFACup Final! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ohJeMvUsph
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 15, 2022
Former Nigeria international Victor Ikepba has leapt to the defence of Mount and Mane, saying that even great players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and the legendary France midfielder Michel Platini have missed penalties in the past.
Speaking on SuperSport's Monday Night Football, monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com, Ikpeba said : "It can happen to anybody. Mahrez missed a penalty against West Ham yesterday, we've seen Salah, Kevin De Bruyne missing.
"Great players miss penalties - Messi, Ronaldo - so it can happen to anybody but it was a great game of football, the fans were out in numbers.
"At that moment Mane missed his penalty, everybody thought it would go to Chelsea."
With a goal involvement of 21 in the Premier League, Mason Mount is having an outstanding season and was recently named on the shortlist for the division's Young Player of the Year award.
Ikpeba thinks that the Chelsea midfielder was nervous before he stepped up to take the penalty.
The Monaco legend added : "It's not a guarantee when it comes to penalties, we've seen great players like Socrates, Platini miss penalties.
"Mason Mount is having a brilliant season but it was not a good timing from him. That moment he didn't even look up, the way he played it, it shows that he was a little bit nervous.
"The biggest problem of taking penalties is the pressure. You have to pick your spot, if you don't get it right you'll miss it".
Ikpeba missed a penalty in the shootout during the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations showpiece between the Super Eagles and Indomitable Lions, though television replays suggest that the ball crossed the line after coming off the crossbar.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : chelseafc.com
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com


- Former Chelsea star Moses reports for pre-season training at Spartak Moscow
- WAFCON : Three best and worst performers in Nigeria's defeat to South Africa
- 'He's a top level player' - Rangers icon understands why Southampton are interested in Nigeria star
- Significant update emerges on future of two Super Eagles stars and Nigeria U23 intl at Watford
- Opinion : Two English clubs that could benefit from signing Chelsea legend Mikel
- 'If we can do that' - 2019 Flying Eagles invitee targets promotion with Sheffield Wednesday
- Nigeria player ratings: Ajibade bright spark; Plumptre blows hot and cold; Oshoala, Chikwelu struggle
- Five observations from Nigeria's Super Falcons defeat to South Africa's Bayana Bayana
- WAFCON Nigeria 1 RSA 2 : Atletico Madrid star nets consolation goal for defending champions
- Celtic or Rangers? Analysis of which club would be a great fit for Super Eagles striker
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- My Betting Sites Nigeria
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Nigeria Betting Sites
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football