Stoke midfielder Joe Allen has emerged as an early frontrunner for the ‘Miss of the Season’ award after spectacularly fluffing his lines against Derby.
The Potters, who lost their opening two Championship fixtures, were desperate for a pick-me-up after conceding from Derby’s very first attack when Martyn Waghorn swept past Jack Butland inside two minutes.
And the moment arrived on a plate for the Welshman when Stoke poured men forward just six minutes later and in front of the Derby fans.
Midfielder James McClean swept the ball in from the left and Sam Clucas glanced his header towards goal before turning to see keeper Kelle Roos pull off a fine one-handed save.
The ball dropped to Allen just four yards out from the goal line but he thundered his close-range effort against the post and the Rams somehow survived.
Nathan Jones’s men eventually equalled proceedings 31st minute thanks to a Liam Lindsay header.
They then took the lead through Scott Hogan’s goal but were denied the three points because Waghorn scored a penalty on 70 minutes.
Allen won’t sleep well tonight.
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