Peter Crouch SLAMS Kepa after the Chelsea goalkeeper’s positioning error resulted in Fulham’s winner

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa has been heavily criticized for his role in Fulham’s second goal on Thursday night.

The Blues endured a torrid evening on Thursday, losing 2-1 while star debutant Joao Felix received a red card and a three-game suspension.

While Chelsea produced some good moments, Fulham’s second goal was a low point as Kepa was caught in no man’s land defending a free Carlos Vinicius header following a superb Andreas Pereira cross.

Chelsea lost 2-1 to Fulham in Thursday night’s Premier League clash

Blues keeper Kepa found himself in an awkward position when the winning goal was scored

Chelsea have won just once in their last eight games in all competitions

Instead of going all the way to capture the ball or staying on his line to save the header, the keeper floated in between and was easy to beat.

Peter Crouch was particularly critical of the mistake, telling BT Sports: “It’s a massive mistake by Kepa. When he stays on his line it’s such a difficult header [for Vinicius, but he’s given him an open goal. Even if Kepa makes a decision to come out, you’ve got to come all the way.’

Fellow pundit Joe Cole also questioned why the forward’s marker, Trevor Chalobah, had allowed so much room, but agreed much of the blame lay with Kepa. 

Graham Potter admitted the second Fulham goal was a ‘frustrating’ one to concede

‘How on earth does Vinicius find himself in this area of the pitch with a free header at goal? The glaring error is Kepa. If he reads the flight of the ball, gets in goal, [Vinicius] can’t score. If he stays on his line, it’s a tough header,” he said.

The result means a win in eight games for Graham Potter’s men and leaves them tenth in the Premier League.

Despite the defeat, the manager was reluctant to talk about Kepa, as he said after the game: “I never like to talk about individuals when we’re losing. I think the goal itself was frustrating from our point of view.

Peter Crouch accused Kepa of making a “massive mistake” in giving Carlos Vinicius an easy goal

“I didn’t think they were pressuring us too much even though they had the extra man.

“It felt like a soft goal against and we have to deal with that better.”

Chelsea are next in action when they take on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.