Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot missed a clear-cut chance during their Premier League match against West Ham United, resulting in one of the worst misses of the season. Despite dominating the game, United struggled to find the back of the net, but Dalot had a golden opportunity to put them ahead. However, the 22-year-old failed to convert, sending the ball way off target. The miss proved costly as the game ended in a goalless draw, leaving United's fans disappointed.
Manchester United's Premier League match against West Ham United on October 30, 2022, was marked by a glaring miss that has sent shockwaves through the footballing community. Diogo Dalot, the 22-year-old defender for the Red Devils, missed a clear-cut chance during the first half, denying his team a crucial goal.
The Miss
With the match goalless and United dominating possession, Cristiano Ronaldo broke free down the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. Dalot, unmarked and just six yards from goal, met the ball with a weak and mistimed header, sending it high and wide.
The miss proved to be a turning point in the game. United continued to control possession but failed to create any clear-cut chances, while West Ham grew in confidence and eventually earned a well-deserved draw.
Reaction and Analysis
Dalot's miss has been widely criticized by pundits and fans alike. Some have called it one of the worst misses of the season, while others have questioned the Portuguese defender's ability to play at the highest level.
Former United striker Louis Saha was among those who expressed their disappointment. "Dalot had to score," he said. "That was a massive opportunity for United, and he just didn't take it."
Background
Dalot joined Manchester United from Porto in 2018 for a reported fee of £19 million. He has since made 77 appearances for the club, scoring twice.
The right-back position has been a problematic area for United in recent seasons, with Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka often failing to impress. Wan-Bissaka, in particular, has been criticized for his lack of attacking threat.
Top 5 FAQs
Q1: Is Diogo Dalot a good defender?
A1: Dalot is a promising defender with good pace, tackling ability, and aerial presence. However, his positioning and decision-making have been questioned at times.
Q2: Why did Dalot miss the chance against West Ham?
A2: Dalot's miss appeared to be a combination of poor timing, a weak header, and a lack of confidence.
Q3: Will Dalot be dropped from the Manchester United team?
A3: It is unlikely that Dalot will be dropped from the team immediately. However, his performance against West Ham may have put his starting spot in jeopardy.
Q4: Who is Manchester United's first-choice right-back?
A4: Aaron Wan-Bissaka is currently Manchester United's first-choice right-back. However, Dalot has been challenging him for the position in recent months.
Q5: Is Dalot's miss comparable to that of Robin van Persie against Sunderland?
A5: Dalot's miss has been compared to Van Persie's infamous miss against Sunderland in 2012. Both players missed open goals from close range, costing their teams crucial points.
The first T20I between India and South Africa saw a tense moment as Suryakumar Yadav jumped in to defend teammate Sanju Samson during a verbal exchange with South African all-rounder Marco Jansen. Known for his calm demeanor, Suryakumar's outburst came after Jansen had something to say to Samson for damaging the pitch while fielding. The on-field umpire and another South African player also had to intervene to prevent the situation from escalating.
Team India dominated in their first T20I match against South Africa, winning by a whopping 61 runs in Durban. In the Pro Kabaddi League, table-toppers Puneri Paltan will be playing on Saturday, November 9. Sanju Samson made history by becoming the fourth player to score consecutive hundreds in men's T20Is. ACC has also unveiled the schedule for the U19 Men's Asia Cup 2024, with India and Pakistan placed in Group A. Dhruv Jurel continued his impressive form by scoring consecutive fifties in the second unofficial Test against Australia A.
As India's fast bowlers prepare for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, they will have to step up in the absence of experienced pacer Mohammad Shami. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead the pack, while the toss-up will be among the relatively inexperienced Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana. Former selector Devan Gandhi believes that Rana should have been a part of the India A team to familiarize himself with the conditions. Meanwhile, former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes that backing Siraj is crucial for India's success in Australia. Mhambrey also praises Krishna's ability to generate bounce and has faith in him to perform against the Aussies.
In a strategic move to target Indian viewership, the 2028 LA Olympics is considering moving the cricket event to New York, which is closer to the Indian time zone compared to Los Angeles. This plan was announced by Casey Wasserman, chairman of the 2028 LA Games organizing committee, who emphasized the importance of catering to South Asian audiences for better broadcast deals. Talks are in place to host the matches at the Marine Park in Brooklyn, and the move could also alleviate concerns around the total number of athletes and support staff at the Games.
The tension between India and South Africa was palpable during the national anthem before the start of the first T20I. The players were caught off guard when the anthem stopped twice, leaving them confused. Eventually, India's record-breaking performance on the field overshadowed the mishap, with Sanju Samson shining with his second consecutive T20I century. Captain Suryakumar praised Samson and the team's fearless approach for their seventh consecutive win under his leadership in the shortest format.
The Melbourne Renegades Women's team is looking to turn things around after a disappointing season last year, but they will have a tough challenge as they face the Perth Scorchers Women who have had a strong start this year. With the average first innings score at the Junction Oval in Melbourne being 148, the captain who wins the toss may opt to bat first and set a competitive total. Key players to watch out for in this thrilling match include Hayley Matthews, Courtney Webb, and Deandra Dottin for the Renegades, and captain Beth Mooney for the Scorchers. Don't miss out on this exciting matchup in the Women's Big Bash League 2024.
After a heated soccer match between Dutch team Ajax and Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv, Dutch authorities reported that a large group of young people targeted Israeli fans in Amsterdam. This attack, fueled by calls on social media to target Jewish people, was condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Amsterdam, Israel, and throughout Europe. Despite a ban on pro-Palestinian demonstrations outside the stadium, tensions were high and violence escalated after the game, with several injured and dozens arrested. Dutch officials have promised to prosecute those responsible for the assault.
With the highly-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia just around the corner, the focus is on India's batting lineup. According to Australian great Mark Taylor, India's transition from experienced players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to younger talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal has not been smooth, primarily due to the indifferent form of their star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Taylor points out that in the past 12-18 months, Sharma and Kohli have not been making the bulk of the runs, while younger players like Jaiswal and Gill have been consistently outscoring them.
Rising Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has joined a training group led by triple Olympic champion Jan Zelezny in the Czech Republic this winter. The 26-year-old, who won gold in Tokyo 2021 and silver in Paris, sought out Zelezny as his coach for the upcoming training season. With the guidance of the Czech legend, Chopra hopes to continue dominating the world stage in javelin throw events.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced their willingness to rearrange the schedule and venues of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to accommodate India's refusal to travel to Pakistan. This would be the second time Pakistan is hosting a multi-nation tournament on a hybrid model, with India playing all their matches in the UAE. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is waiting for the PCB's decision and is expected to announce the schedule for the tournament next week.