Garrincha’s Dog

Reading keeper Adam Federici earned his side a point on Boxing Day with an injury-time equaliser against Cardiff. Sure, we’ve all seen goalies stick the ball in the net before, but watching another one won’t hurt. It’s a feel-good thing. Like a goal from the fat kid who’s always picked last.

Not that the Cardiff fans enjoyed Federici’s strike. With only seconds left on the clock and a 1-1 draw inevitable, there were angry scenes at the Madjeski Stadium. Some of the Welsh supporters spilled onto the pitch and Thames Valley Police arrested four people for public order offences.

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There was no sunshine on Leith for Celtic yesterday. The SPL leaders lost 2-0 to Hibernian at Easter Road, thanks in no small measure to some calamitous goalkeeping from Artur Boruc. The increasingly accident-prone Pole gifted Hibs the opener ten minutes into the second half.

What a howler. Easily Boruc’s worst mistake in a Celtic shirt and proof positive that he’s not the keeper he was two seasons ago. John Rankin’s shot travelled fully 45 yards before it bounced in front of goal. Boruc had plenty of time to get his body behind the ball.

The Hoops had been hoping to win their 13th league game on the trot in Edinburgh. Their next opponents - Hearts - have won five games on the bounce. It’ll be interesting to see how Boruc copes at the weekend.

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It’s been a year since Scott Carson’s howler against Croatia. The England keeper spilled a long-range Niko Kranjčar shot to gift the Croats the opening goal in a 3-2 defeat. England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 as a result.

Just as Carson’s gaffe was fading from the national consciousness, he blundered again last night. A mix-up with skipper John Terry handed Germany an equaliser and reminded everyone that he’s not a safe pair of hands.

It was Patrick Helmes who took advantage of the English indecision, although ultimately to no avail. Terry sealed a 2-1 win six minutes from full-time. Both second-half goals are in the embedded video. The highlights of the first half are here.

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Tottenham’s unbeaten run under Harry Redknapp came to an end at Craven Cottage this afternoon. He watched his side lose 2-1 to Fulham, who were gifted a first-half goal by Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes. The video includes all the goals, plus the Brazilian’s nightmare blunder.

The opening goal was officially credited to Simon Davies, even though Gomes fumbled the ball into the net. It reminds me of an infamous error by AC Milan keeper Dida. In ‘00, he dropped a Lee Bower shot into the net during a rain-soaked Champions League qualifier against Leeds United. Milan lost the game 1-0 as a result; Dida lost his reputation and his starting place between the sticks. We’ll see if Gomes is still in the Spurs goal next week.

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