Fulham captain Tom Cairney couldn’t help with teammate Willian after the club’s rather fortunate second goal against Sheffield United on Saturday.
A video of his deflected effort was posted by the Premier League on social media, concentrating on the Brazilian’s reaction.
Willian is one of the most technically gifted ever to grace Craven Cottage in the Premier League.
Ever since his move last summer, the 35-year-old has tormented full-backs and created a very good partnership with the rapid Antonee Robinson.
His goal against Nottingham Forest was nominated for Goal of the Season last year and he found the back of the net again at the weekend.
However, the technique on show from Fulham captain Cairney for the second of the afternoon on Saturday wasn’t quite up to Willian’s standards.
Cairney picked up the ball after some good work from Calvin Bassey inside the opposition’s half.
One touch out of his feet was enough to encourage him to shoot, but his strike cannoned off his standing foot, looping up in the air in the direction of the opposition’s goal.
What happened next is something he could never replicate again if he tried and prompted a hilarious reaction from the £90,000-a-week winger.
Cairney jokes with Fulham teammate Willian
As Cairney’s shot drifted towards Wes Foderingham’s goal, Willian can be seen standing on the left wing in plenty of space.
He’s pointing at his feet with both hands, urging the Fulham captain to pass to him before offering no reaction to the ball hitting the back of the net off the back of Foderingham’s head.
Cairney runs past Willian in celebration towards the delirious Fulham fans in the Hammersmith End, shushing the Brazilian in the process.
Responding to the video on Instagram, Cairney joked: “@willianborges88 no respect. I’ll pass it to you next time apologies.”
It was suggested this week that Cairney was unlucky not to be recognised more on the international stage.
I can’t help but agree although it’s hard to know just how much of a connection he felt to the Scottish national team.
While he’s continuing to impress at Craven Cottage making sensational cameos, he’s got a place in the side.
Marco Silva continues to try and evolve his squad, but in Cairney and Tim Ream, he’s got two constants who know exactly what the club is about and how much it means to the fans.