'Don't blame Simkin for Fulham winner'

ENGLAND keeper turned Match Of The Day pundit Paul Robinson has launched the defence of Tommy Simkin over the late goal which cost Stoke City against Fulham.

- Peter Smith

ENGLAND keeper turned Match Of The Day pundit Paul Robinson has launched the defence of Tommy Simkin over the late goal which cost Stoke City against Fulham.

Stoke were holding their Premier League opponents 1-1 in an FA Cup fourth round tie at the bet365 Stadium when Simkin tried a short pass out from the back to Tatsuki Seko. Harrison Reed read it, pounced and slipped in to score the winner.

Mark Robins suggested that keeper coach Darren Behcet would ask questions of Seko rather than pin the blame on Simkin, who was recalled from a loan spell to take the gloves following an injury to player of the year Viktor Johansson.

Simkin, aged 21, had made a few eye-catching saves by that point and insisted in a post-match interview that he had enjoyed the experience and Robinson was sure he will learn a lot from it too.

Robinson said: "I think, first of all, I have to say Simkin was excellent - and fair play to come out and do an interview afterwards. This is a young lad, still 21. He was on loan at Leyton Orient until New Year's Day.