Newcastle United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 on Sunday, but it could have been more if Sven Botman hadn’t blazed a sitter over the bar in stoppage time.
Eddie Howe‘s side had the ball in the corner, and it appeared as though Newcastle were going to run the clock down and preserve their one-goal lead.
But a quick set piece saw Callum Wilson lay it off to Miguel Almiron, who then fizzed it into Bruno Guimaraes before bursting into space. A sensational flick from the Brazilian found Miggy, who raced into the box to add a third.
The 29-year-old was able to pick out Sven Botman, who had somehow found himself in the box. From about seven yards out, the Dutchman fired a first time shot towards goal, but blazed it over the bar.
It was an agonizing miss from the £35million, as the buildup was extraordinary. The linkup was beautiful, and it almost resulted in Newcastle scoring a spectacular goal.
But the chance fell to the wrong man as Botman, who is still yet to score for Newcastle, headed back to the halfway line with his head in his hands.
Matt Ritchie was shocked by the miss, and Toon fans have been left to ponder what might have been.
Chris Waugh shares Sven Botman update
“I’ve spoke to someone close to Sven Botman today,” Waugh said.
“And they were saying how he realises he’s probably never going to have another opportunity like that to side-foot a finish from inside the area in open play.”
What a miss from the Newcastle defender
The buildup was so good, yet the finish was so bad. As Waugh says, Botman might never get an opportunity as good as that. All he really needed to do was hit the target, yet he blazed his shot high into the Leazes End.
The wait goes on for the 23-year-old to score his first Toon goal. He has came close on a few occasions, after almost netting a header in the win against Fulham at Craven Cottage back in October.
Given his size, you would think he would be much more of an aerial presence from corners. That is something Newcastle need to work on, especially with Kieran Trippier’s quality from dead ball situations.
His elusive first goal will come soon, but the miss against Wolves was an absolute shocker. Luckily for him, everyone is more interested in the intricate passing than his inability to score from close range.