Josh Maja’s penalty goal in Fulham's 1-1 draw against Arsenal has equalled a penalty record in the English elite division.
87 - Josh Maja's penalty was the 87th to be scored in the Premier League this season, equalling the most in a single campaign in the competition's history (also 87 in 2006-07). Scrupulous.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 18, 2021
Before the Cottagers took on the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium, the 2020-21 campaign had witnessed 86 penalty kicks.
The Bordeaux loanee’s effort against Mikel Arteta’s side saw this season equal the mark achieved during the 2006-07 campaign.
Having lost their last consecutive league games [against Manchester City, Leeds United, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers], the Cottagers travelled to North London with the ambition of ending their poor run.
For the Gunners – who are still basking in the euphoria of their Europa League triumph over Slavia Prague – victory over Scot Parker’s men would see them move up the log.
As expected, the game got off to an explosive start with both teams trying to get much-needed goals. Nonetheless, the first half ended on a no winner no vanquished note.
Five minutes before both teams headed for the tunnel, Daniel Ceballos thought he had put his team ahead, but his effort was chalked off after VAR replays. Bukayo Saka was offside in the build-up to the goal.
In the second half, albeit, the visiting side were more adventurous and that paid off in the 57th minute when they were awarded a penalty.
Ola Aina raced into the box but could not reach the ball, but Gabon’s Mario Lemina then picked it up and Gabriel dived in, sticking out a leg and Lemina went down.
After checks from VAR, the decision stood, and Maja smartly dispatched the ball past Mathew Ryan. With this strike, the 22-year-old has ended his nine-game wait for his third strike since his brace against Everton on February 14.
Aged 22 years and 112 days, Maja became the second-youngest player to score a Premier League penalty against Arsenal, after Daniel Sturridge for Man City in November 2008 (19y 82d).
Aged 22 years and 112 days, Maja became the second-youngest player to score a Premier League penalty against Arsenal, after Daniel Sturridge for Man City in November 2008 (19y 82d). #ARSFUL pic.twitter.com/sL9ULttbvw
— Shina Oludare 🇳🇬 (@sportingshina) April 18, 2021
He was subsequently replaced for Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the 77th minute, while his compatriots Aina and Tosin Adarabioyo were in action from start to finish alongside Lemina and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
Whereas, the English winger of Nigerian descent was handed a place in the starting XI but was replaced by Harrison Reed in the 65th minute.
With the last kick of the game, the hosts got a face-saving equaliser courtesy of English forward of Ghanaian background, Eddie Nketiah.
Fulham stay 18th in the Premier League log after accruing 27 points from 33 games. They travel to Stamford Bridge for their next fixture with Chelsea on May 1.