BLACKBURN goalkeeper Aynsley Pears was left red-faced after scoring a disastrous own goal against Sheffield Wednesday.
The 25-year-old was in action for John Eustace’s side in a crucial match in the Championship relegation battle.
With Rovers already trailing 2-1, defender Dominic Hyam sent a backpass to his goalkeeper.
Pears went to clear it first time, but inexplicably sliced the ball horribly into his own net.
Following his nightmare moment he waved his arms in frustration before picking the ball out of his own net.
Pears had produced an incredible performance as his side beat promotion-chasers Leeds 1-0 at Elland Road last week, but this time out he had fans tearing their hair out.
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After the gaffe, reminiscent of Paul Robinson’s 2006 error against Croatia for England, fans fumed on social media.
The former Tottenham goalkeeper infamously missed a Gary Neville backpass when trying to clear while playing for the Three Lions.
Seeing Pears’ mistake, one fan wrote: “He’s moving like Paul Robinson.”
While a second added: “Is your goalie a Paul Robinson regen?”
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A third claimed: “Got to be one of the greatest own goals of all time.”
And another added: “There’s no way he turned around the blamed the defender.”
Having seen his team lose to Blackburn last week, one Leeds fan fumed: “Nice of Aynsley Pears to do this every weekend except when he comes to Elland Road, where he channels his inner Buffon.”
While a second moaned: “Absolutely, he has made a right pair of clangers today, has a worldie against us, typical.”
With Wednesday fighting for their Championship lives, fans of their relegation rivals were also fuming with Pears.
One wrote: “I give up.”
While a second cried: “We’re doomed.”
Pears began his career with Middlesbrough, going on to play 25 times for his boyhood club.
During this time he broke into the England youth set-up, earning two caps for the Under-19s.
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In 2020 he joined Blackburn, for whom he has gone on to make 60 appearances.
Following their 3-1 win, Sheffield Wednesday climbed out of the relegation zone, moving a point clear of Birmingham and to within one of 20th placed Plymouth Argyle and two of today’s opponents Blackburn.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk