As Everton visit, are Fulham the first team NOT to want a penalty?

Joachim Andersen is on the front cover of Sunday’s match program (Credit – Fulham FC)

It seems like an eternity since Fulham fans looked on in horror as Ademola Lookman blundered that Panenka penalty at the London Stadium, costing his side a point at West Ham.

It seems like less than an age since Scotland fans looked on in elation as Aleksander Mitrovic’s penalty was saved by David Marshall in Belgrade, sending Scotland to their first finals in 22 years.

How Tom Cairney looked him in the eye at training the next day without a smirk and possibly even a guffaw, is hard to imagine.

In between there was this:

“Aleksandar Mitrovic says he’s resumed penalty duties at Fulham after Ademola Lookman’s missed Panenka in the side’s 1-0 defeat at West Ham”

However the 26-year-old Serbian international’s record from the spot is hardly unblemished at club level either. He failed to convert a penalty against Sheffield United earlier this season.

This led Peter Rutzler who comments on Fulham for the Athletic to headline an article:

‘With Mitrovic’s record, penalties should be taken out of his hands’

So with both Lookman and Mitrovic short on confidence, who might take the poisoned chalice should Fulham win one against Everton on Sunday?

“Everton haven’t kept a cleansheet in nine games since they shut Salford out in the EFL Cup.”

Aboubakar Kamara pushed himself to the top of the queue against Huddersfield Town in December 2018, having initially won the penalty. And missed.

Tom Cairney might be a candidate but would he want to risk the fun he is having reminding Mitrovic about his Belgrade miss? Harrison Reed and Bobby De-Cordova Reid seem to have the chops to do it, and new full back Ola Aina showed his finishing prowess with that marvelous effort against West Brom.

If he were on the pitch, Joe Bryan has shown cool finishing tendencies under pressure. After all, who can forget his amazing free kick that set Fulham on the way to promotion at the Play off final against Brentford at Wembley?

But manager Scott Parker really needs to find a solution among the men likely to command an automatic starting spot.

Everton have faded after a good start that saw them briefly top the table. They have now lost three straight after the Merseyside derby and lie seventh.

They have shipped eleven goals in their last five games and have scored in each.

They haven’t kept a cleansheet in nine games since they shut Salford out in the EFL Cup.

Everton have worries over Brazilian star midfielder Richarlison and Fabian Delph but both may make it. Richarlison felt foul of a mean tackle by Edison Cavani in the contentious derby that is Brazil v Uruguay. Cavani was sent off for it and his side lose 2-0. Richarlison scored for the opener for Brazil.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin is expected to return at the end of November but this game may be one week too soon. Seamus Coleman and Allan Marques Loureiro are still out.

Mario Lemina is the only doubt for Fulham, described as ‘touch and go’. He impressed in the first 45 against West Brom but didn’t return for the second half. His replacement Reed did very well however in the first half against West Ham.

Right back Kenny Tete is getting there but is unlikely to be ‘there’ on time to face Everton. Terence Kongolo and Josh Onomah have no return date and Kamara is suspended.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt