Bournemouth’s Steve Cook made one of the top saves of the day, springing up from his arse to his bat away an effort from Norwich, turning the shot onto the crossbar and saving a goal.
Unfortunately for the Cherries, Cook is no goalkeeper.
Cook, a center back, was sent off for denying a goal from Ondrej Duda in the 31st minute on Saturday, taking a page out of Luis Suarez’s playbook. But unlike Suarez for Uruguay in 2010, things didn’t work out so well for Cook and Bournemouth.
Steve Cook was shown a straight red card, Teemu Pukki converted the ensuing penalty kick and Bournemouth had to play 60 minutes down a man.
Steve Cook Red Card
UNBELIEVABLE pic.twitter.com/CxFNi4AINQ
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 18, 2020
When Suarez became a bit of a villain for denying Ghana a goal at the 2010 World Cup, he did so in the dying moments of the game. The Black Stars missed the ensuing penalty and Uruguay went on to win in a shootout in the quarterfinals.
On Saturday, Cook’s offense came early on in the match and it’s hard to say it was a smart decision. Cook probably should have left the shot (who knows, it might not have gone in), as going down a goal isn’t as damaging as going down a man and possibly a goal with an hour to play.
Then again, it’s hard to make that decision in the split second Cook had to think about putting his hand up to make the save.
Either way, maybe Cook has a future as a goalkeeper if this defending thing doesn't work out for him.