Penalty Heartbreak at Vicarage Road: Rowett Refuses to Blame Daka
Leicester City manager Gary Rowett described the goalless draw at Watford as “hugely frustrating” after Patson Daka missed a critical second-half penalty. Despite the disappointment, Rowett was firm that there would be no “finger-pointing” within the dressing room following the stalemate.
The result leaves Leicester reflecting on what could have been a vital three points in their promotion push, particularly as it marks the club’s third consecutive missed penalty.
The Defining Moment
In the second half, Abdul Fatawu was brought down in the box by Formose Mendy. While the referee awarded the spot-kick, Rowett was unhappy that Mendy escaped a second yellow card.
- The Taker: Patson Daka stepped up for his first penalty of the season.
- The Save: Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik tipped the effort onto the post.
- The Rationale: Rowett defended the choice of Daka, noting the striker had scored his previous three penalties for the club.
Rowett’s Reaction: Support Over Stigma
Despite the clinical nature of the miss, Rowett emphasized a collective responsibility rather than individual blame.
”He’s going to be disappointed… any one of you can miss a penalty. The important thing is we get around him and support him and make sure he’s ready to go in the next game.” — Gary Rowett
Missed Opportunities
The penalty wasn’t the only chance for the Foxes to secure the win. Leicester dominated the second-half openings but found Selvik in inspired form:
- Patson Daka: Missed a free “diving header” at the back post.
- Divine Mukasa: Denied by a sharp save from the Watford keeper.
- Ben Nelson: Saw a late effort thwarted in the dying stages.
The Statistical Outlook
| Key Stat | Leicester City | Watford |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties | 0/1 | N/A |
| Clean Sheets | 1 | 1 |
| Match Outcome | Frustrated Draw | Hard-fought Point |
The Bottom Line
Rowett admitted that while he was “pleased with the performance” and the number of chances created against a play-off-chasing Watford side, the lack of a “killer touch” remains an irritating hurdle. As the season nears its conclusion, the manager knows these are the moments that define a campaign.
