Danny Welbeck Penalty Drama: Jordan Pickford and the "Cheat Sheet" in the Dock

Muhe - Monday, 25 August 2025 | 10:00 AM (WIB)

Danny Welbeck Penalty Drama: Jordan Pickford and the "Cheat Sheet" in the Dock

Historic Match, Emotional Situation

The match between Brighton and Everton on 24 August 2025 was merely another Premier League match. The match was hosted at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton's new home, and hence the event was all the more lovable. But the highlight was a drama in the penalty box: Danny Welbeck's missed spot kick.

Welbeck vs. Pickford: Penalty Duel

Danny Welbeck was the man to watch as Brighton was awarded a penalty at a pivotal moment during the game. His mission was to equalize the score. His shot, however, was perfectly blocked by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and his team's hero of the night.

"Cheat Sheet" on a Water Bottle

What was so highly discussed in Pickford's save was not merely the play, but also the strategy involved. TV cameras caught a glimpse of Pickford's water bottle with a small note—commonly referred to as a cheat sheet—having information of Brighton's penalty kickers' kick directions, including Welbeck.With this comment, Pickford appeared confident of reading the trajectory of the kick. The goalkeeper exploited Welbeck's seeming tendency to shoot to one specific direction to make a miraculous save.

Controversy: Clever tactic or biased?

The football community was divided. Some praised Pickford's action as a display of professionalism and wide preparation. Researching opponents through data is not new in modern-day football, and "cheat sheets" are seen as an extension of the analytics that are more and more dominating the sport.But most regarded it as a one-sided strategy, for it took away from penalties their nature of being spontaneous. The saga spread to social media, where most supporters doubted the degree to which the tactic could be used.

Impact on Welbeck and Brighton

For Danny Welbeck, this miss was extremely painful. Being a senior player, he was deployed in crucial situations throughout. But this moment again cast doubts over his status as a penalty-taker. Brighton missed a golden opportunity that had the potential to turn the game around.

Pickford, Everton's Savior

On the other hand, there was Jordan Pickford who was highly praised. His penalty save saved Everton their lead on their inaugural match at the new ground. Not only has Pickford become the Premier League's leading goalkeeper, but also a player ready to make his contribution at any time.The action of Welbeck's penalty being saved by Pickford with the help of a "cheat sheet" is a stark reminder that modern football is no longer dependent on talent and instinct alone, but also on information, analysis, and careful planning.Is the strategy legal or is it considered to be damaging to the game's spirit? Time and law will likely decide. One thing for sure is that this will be remembered as being one of the most exciting dramas of the opening 2025/26 Premier League season.