It takes serious courage – Keith Andrews backs Dango Ouattara over Panenka miss

Keith Andrews criticised the “disgusting” culture of ridiculing players who miss penalties after Dango Ouattara’s fluffed Panenka cost Brentford a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Ouattara’s outlandish dinked effort was easily caught by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola as the Bees slipped to a 5-3 shootout loss at London Stadium.

Brentford boss Andrews alluded to the host of England internationals who have been “persecuted” for failing from 12 yards at major tournaments during a passionate defence of the Burkina Faso forward.

Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen and Bees top scorer Igor Thiago each scored twice during normal time as an entertaining fifth-round tie ended in a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes.

“No, I’m not annoyed at all,” Andrews said of Ouattara’s penalty.

“I think the easiest thing for a footballer to do is not take a penalty. It takes unbelievable courage on a stage like that to take a penalty.

“It’s probably the first time I’ve ever spoken about penalty kicks and people that miss them.

“I despise the culture around players that have missed penalty kicks – I think you know the ones I’m talking about, national heroes that have done it, ridiculed, persecuted. I think it’s disgusting.”

Ouattara stepped up second for Brentford in the shootout.

The 24-year-old was the only player from either side to fail as the west London club’s wait for a first FA Cup quarter-final since 1989 was extended in agonising fashion.

“It takes serious courage to do that,” continued Andrews. “He practises that technique a lot, if it goes in everyone’s raving about him.

“Dango will get the absolute support he needs from myself and everybody attached to it.”

West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos converted the decisive spot-kick to set up a last-eight meeting at home to Leeds.

England forward Bowen poked the hosts into a 19th-minute lead in an action-packed first half before Thiago levelled for the Bees with his 20th goal of the season.

Bowen doubled his tally with a 34th-minute penalty, only for Thiago to force extra-time by converting from the spot in the 81st minute.

Three-time FA Cup winners West Ham, who are embroiled in a Premier League relegation battle, are into the quarter-finals for the first time in a decade, having last progressed to that stage during the 2015-16 season – their final one at Upton Park.

Hammers head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said: “(It was) a long night but a good one.

“The atmosphere in the end was amazing, our fans celebrating.

“They deserve this moment of happiness, it’s been hard but they’ve been sticking with us, supporting us, and I think the boys are giving back.

“The game was very tight, it could go both ways, we have to be fair.

“In the penalties, I think it’s all about being ready to do their tasks and they did it well.”

Nuno opted to remain in the dugout, rather than watch the spot-kicks.

“I don’t like to see it, I get too nervous, too anxious,” he explained. “I’m going to see it now. I’ve been told they were really well taken.”