'Stutter' penalty back in the spotlight after Barco miss costs Chelsea

The stuttering run-up for penalties has been called 'naive' as players continue to try to deceive goalkeepers with a stop-start approach – but why? Chelsea midfielder Barco hit the post after a stuttering run-up The pros and cons of a stuttering run-up are under debate after two crucial penalty misses in the Carabao Cup last 16. Chelsea midfielder Valentin Barco missed the Blues' fourth penalty in their entertaining shootout defeat by Liverpool when he hit the post after a stuttered run-up. Xabi Alonso's side would be in the EFL Cup quarter-finals had he scored, but they crashed out as defender Wesley Fofana sent one in sudden death high into the Kop at Anfield.

Barco's miss came after Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes had his spot-kick saved after a similar 'stutter' run-up as the Gunners crashed out against League Two Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night. Both were shown how to do it by Liverpool defender Joe Gomez – a player who has never scored a senior goal in 319 professional appearances – who rifled the winning penalty into the top corner after a simple run-up. Players opt for the stutter in a bid to trick the goalkeeper into giving them a clue as to which way they will dive. The problem is it can backfire spectacularly if the goalkeeper holds their nerve