Top Ten: Goalkeeping Howlers

Last updated: 22nd March 2008

800 600 Paul Robinson stares at turf Croatia v England

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Goalkeepers come under the spotlight more than others, especially when it comes to making mistakes. But which keeper has made the biggest blunder of them all? Skysports.com gives you our all-time favourites.

Paul Robinson - Croatia 2 England 0, Euro 2008 qualifier, October 2006

With England already a goal down in their crucial away fixture against Croatia, Robinson allowed Gary Neville's seemingly harmless backpass to roll over his foot to hand the home side a 2-0 lead and put the game well beyond Steve McClaren's men.

David Seaman - Brazil 2 England 1, World Cup, June 2002

The Arsenal goalkeeper allowed a long-range free-kick from Ronaldinho to beat him for a goal which ended England's hopes of winning the World Cup in Japan and South Korea at the quarter-final stage.

David James - Austria 2 England 2, World Cup qualifier, September 2004

The current Pompey keeper let a long-range shot by Andreas Ivanschitz squirm underneath his body for the equaliser as England threw away a two-goal lead in their qualifying campaign for Germany 2006.

Ray Clemence - Scotland 2 England 1, Home Internationals, May 1976

Over 85,000 fans filled Hampden Park to witness the Liverpool keeper's biggest mistake in an England jersey. The match was poised at 1-1 when Kenny Dalglish, twisting and turning, made room for a shot inside the England penalty area. He could only scuff a weak effort towards goal but Clemence allowed the ball to slip through his legs and into the net.

Peter Shilton - England 1 Poland 1, World Cup qualifier, October 1973

England needed to beat Poland at Wembley to make it through to the World Cup finals in West Germany. Sir Alf Ramsey's men laid siege to Jan Tomaszewski's goal but could not break the deadlock. A Norman Hunter error early in the second half allowed Lato to break away to feed Domarski who shot straight at Shilton. However the England keeper dived over the top of the ball allowing the visitors to take a shock lead. In spite of an Allan Clarke penalty, England were unable to find a winner. Ramsey was sacked soon after.

Scott Carson - England 2, Croatia 3, Euro 2008 qualifier, November 2007

Just minutes into his competitive England debut, the 22-year-old Villa keeper was beaten by a speculative long-range effort by Portsmouth's Niko Kranjcar. The skiddy pitch and moving ball were mitigating factors but the fact Carson failed to get his body behind the ball proved his downfall as the Croatian's shot squirmed through his hands and into the net.

Peter Bonetti - England 2 West Germany 3, World Cup finals, June 1970

With world champions England leading 2-0 and seemingly coasting to a World Cup semi-final, Peter Bonetti, deputising for the ill Gordan Banks, gifted the Germans a way back into the game when he let a tame Franz Beckenbauer effort under his body. Uwe Seeler then equalised and Gerd Muller got the winner in extra-time.

David Seaman - England 2, Macedonia 2, Euro 2004 qualifier, October 2002

Arsenal's veteran goalkeeper set the tone for a ragged England display by allowing Artim Sakiri to score direct from a corner, the ball flying over the hapless Seaman's head. It handed Macedonia an early lead and gave them the perfect incentive as they hung on for a draw at St Mary's Stadium.

Nigel Martyn - England 2 Romania 3, Euro 2000, June 2000

Needing just a draw to go through to the quarter-finals, England were leading 2-1 thanks to goals from Alan Shearer and Michael Owen before Martyn's intervention. Playing only because David Seaman injured himself in the warm-up, Martyn came for a second half cross which really had little to do with him. His clearance fell straight to the waiting Dorinel Munteanu, who chested the ball down before drilling it back beyond the Leeds keeper's despairing dive. In the last minute, Phil Neville conceded a penalty tucked away by Ioan Ganea which saw Kevin Keegan's side crash out.

David James - Denmark 4 England 1, Friendly, August 2005

Not so much a single error but a collective misjudgment which led to England's heaviest defeat in 25 years. The then Manchester City keeper admitted he failed to prepare properly for his second-half outing in which he conceded all four goals - including a rash error of judgement for Denmark's opener. James claimed he had not expected to be involved in the game - a startling admission for someone looking for international redemption after his blunder against Austria the year before.

Comments

Matthew Kennedy (Manchester United fan) says...

I think that calamity James as he is affectionatly known has shrugged off that reputation with tremendous displays for Pourtsmouth this season. I think that big respect is due to him as he was able to get over these mistakes unlike a certain Jerzy Dudek for Liverpool (excluding 05 champions league final) who was woeful after his howler versus United about 5 seasons back.

Posted 19:41 8th June 2008

Big Al (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Putting Paul Robinson in this list is disgraceful - we teach our kids from the age of 7 to pass the ball back wide of the goal in case of a bumpy pitch - on 50k a week i would have hoped GN new that rule. Robbo whether you're at spurs or not next season fella, the very best of luck to you sir

Posted 23:27 6th June 2008

Mark Ford (Chelsea fan) says...

How can you call that a Paul Robinson blunder????? That is just the unluckiest thing that can happen in football....

Posted 13:46 15th May 2008

Daniel Holdham (Coventry City fan) says...

Referring to Leo Paxton's comment; it was Dion Dublin, not Ian Wright, who came from behind Shay Given and put the ball in the net in the 2-2 draw at Highfield Road.

Posted 23:19 10th May 2008

Gary Phillips (Manchester United fan) says...

Well if its howlers surely the worst has to be Massimo Taibi, unbelievable! His reaction was legendary my studs got caught in the ground. Never played for United again.

Posted 21:13 25th April 2008

Victoria Anon (Newcastle United fan) says...

I can remember watching Paul Robinson let that goal in! I nearly died just watching it! I hate to think how he was feeling!! I also see that 'Calamity James' has his name up there twice!!

Posted 16:31 23rd April 2008

Daemon Stoner (Southampton fan) says...

What about Peter Shilton when he rolled the ball out and Baggio came from behind him a nicked the ball away and scored a goal. Shilton's last game for England.

Posted 22:05 21st April 2008

Bhaskar Subramanian says...

Forest's Gary Crozby heading the ball out of City's Andy Dibble's hands was the worst howler, me thinks. Anybody remember when that was?

Posted 13:46 16th April 2008

Harry Hodnett (Charlton Athletic fan) says...

Robinson did not have a howler, did anybody see the bobble the ball took? Name me one keeper who would have been able to deal with that. Anyway Neville shouldn¿t play a ball that close to the goal in case mishaps like this occur.

Posted 19:28 1st April 2008

Leo Paxton (Newcastle United fan) says...

What about Shay Given's howler when he put the ball down in anticpation of booting it up the field only for Wrighty to round him and score. I'm pretty sure it was Ian Wright.

Posted 19:00 1st April 2008

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