Brentford manager Keith Andrews has fiercely condemned what he described as 'disgusting' criticism directed at winger Dango Ouattara following a missed panenka penalty that ended the club's FA Cup hopes. The Bees suffered a penalty shootout defeat to West Ham United in the FA Cup fifth round at the London Stadium on Monday evening, after a 2-2 draw in normal time.
Dramatic FA Cup Exit
The match saw both teams locked in a tense battle, with Jarrod Bowen and Igor Thiago each scoring twice to force the game into penalties. Ouattara, aged 24, took the decisive spot-kick for Brentford, but his chipped panenka attempt was easily saved by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, sealing the defeat for Andrews' side.
Andrews' Strong Defence
In a post-match interview, Andrews expressed unwavering support for Ouattara, stating he was not annoyed by the miss. He emphasized the courage required to take a penalty in such high-pressure situations, particularly on a major stage like the FA Cup. Andrews highlighted his disdain for the culture of ridiculing players who miss penalties, referencing national heroes who have faced similar persecution.
"I despise the culture around players that have missed penalty kicks – I think you know the ones I'm talking about, national heroes that have done it, ridiculed, persecuted. I think it's disgusting," Andrews declared. He added that Ouattara practices the panenka technique extensively and would receive full support from the team and management.
Player Background and Season Focus
Ouattara joined Brentford from Bournemouth in the summer and has contributed five goals and six assists across all competitions this season. Despite the cup exit, Brentford now shift their attention to the Premier League, where they currently sit seventh, just four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea, aiming for European qualification.
West Ham's Quarter-Final Berth
Meanwhile, West Ham secured their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with the victory and have been drawn to face Leeds United. Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo praised his team's performance and the support from fans, noting the tight nature of the match and the effectiveness in the penalty shootout.
"The atmosphere in the end was amazing, our fans celebrating. They deserve this moment of happiness," Santo remarked, acknowledging the challenging season and the players' efforts to reward loyal supporters.
