There are many types of goalkeeping errors: poor goalkeeping errors, terrible goalkeeping errors, and the kind that Arijanet Muric committed on Saturday.
It was more complicated than just Burnley's goalie letting a backpass slip under his foot and into the net. It was that he accomplished it in what was maybe his team's most important Premier League match of the year, winning 1-0 against Brighton & Hove Albion to send his relegation-threatened team into the clear. In an instant, he turned three points into one.
While several Burnley supporters vomited up in their arms in disgust, others clutched their heads in their hands. Most people just gaped openly while staring.
It was possibly the most expensive goalkeeping error of the Premier League this season, and to make matters worse, it was his second in as many games after he made a similar error against Everton the week before.
However, how can one account for such an error, and what now becomes of Muric?
Burnley seemed to be getting lucky for once.
Yesterday, with fifteen minutes remaining at Turf Moor, Burnley's summer transfer target, goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen of Brighton, watched his attempted clearing explode off the charging Brownhill and into the net.
Momentum returned to the stadium as the difference between fourth-place Nottingham Forest and the rest of the field shrank to just four points.
The game paused while Burnley attempted to gain some easy possession in their own half in an attempt to gain some control. Charlie Taylor recycled the ball first, passing it to Muric, who then passed it to Sander Berge near the box's edge.
There wasn't any strain on Berge. Joao Pedro, a striker for Brighton, approached him nonchalantly, so he delivered a short pass back to Muric. It was correct and flowed nicely.
The Kosovo international tried to control the ball with his studs instead of his side of the foot, which is a Premier League strategy that is often used to push back opponents' players and make it easier to go past their press.
But he made a grave error. Muric made an agonizing attempt to salvage the situation by scrambling back to his own goal line, but his efforts were unsuccessful as the ball went under his foot.
Whether it was a moment of insanity, a lack of focus, or just taking his eye off the ball, the outcome was terrible. The goalie was stunned and shocked as he stood up again.
It made sense that Muric was depressed. The ball was still in play, but he gave up on the game after making one poor kick after realizing his error.
His teammates comforted him one-on-one after the final whistle, giving him a pat on the back or a word of support.
"I have complete faith in Aro (Muric)," stated Maxime Esteve, the center defender. He is a really large goalie. He has taught me a lot in games and throughout training. Aro has saved the squad several times with crucial saves that he has made. He'll keep his head up and the squad will support him because it's football.
Bellamy emphasized that, despite the following raising of the offside flag, Muric's point-blank save in stoppage time kept the score tied.
Bellamy said, "We are all human. It's how you handle it after that. He is willing to persevere, which is why I have nothing but praise for him.
Although Muric has generally been a strong player for the club, those were kind remarks. However, he is aware of the high cost of his mistakes. Whether Burnley sticks with him is the issue at this point.
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