Ademola Lookman: Fulham supporter recounts sleepless night after forward’s failed Panenka

Atalanta ’s Europa League hero Ademola Lookman can do no wrong at present after his stunning hat-trick in Wednesday’s final against previously undefeated Bayer Leverkusen. 

The Super Eagles forward’s goals secured La Dea their first European trophy in their maiden final, ending Gian Piero Gasperini’s wait for a title in his managerial career. 

However, the Nigeria international, previously of Everton, Fulham and Leicester City in the Premier League caused a Cottager to lose sleep after an incident in November 2021. 

In a Premier League gameweek eight encounter against West Ham United, Lookman tried a Panenka in the game’s closing minutes but got it badly wrong. 

The incident happened in the eighth minute of stoppage time, minutes after Tomas Soucek put the Hammers 1-0 up in the 91st minute. 

Said Benrahma was penalised for a foul on Tom Cairney after a VAR check by Robert Jones, and Lookman stepped up to take the subsequent penalty. However, the then-RB Leipzig loanee had his dinked attempt saved by Lukasz Fabianski. 

Fulham supporter and journalist Archie Rhind-Tutt playfully recounted how the failed attempt made him feel at the time. 

“Ademola Lookman caused me to break a bowl in my house once by the way a counter-attack went when we were playing against Wolves, let alone the sleepless night he gave me for the famous missed panenka against West Ham,” recalled Rhind-Tutt in a segment on ESPN FC. 

“But there were always these sparks of a wonderfully talented player and I’m so happy to see him go and do that for Atalanta.”

Lookman’s goals in Wednesday’s final guarantee Atalanta a fourth Champions League participation regardless of their final position in Serie A.