CORNER kicks are suddenly all the rage – but not when they’re delivered like this.
Arsenal have demonstrated over the past couple of seasons that corners can be a dangerous weapon when they’re used properly.
Their cause is helped by Declan Rice whipping in deadly deliveries from the left with pinpoint accuracy.
Burton Albion star Julian Larsson wasn’t quite so on the money when he trotted over to take a set-piece on Monday night.
League One Burton and fifth-tier Brackley Town were still feeling each other out in the fourth minute of their FA Cup second-round clash at the underdogs’ St James’ Park stadium.
Then came a comical moment from Larsson, who held his arm aloft before delivering one of the worst corners ever seen in professional football.
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The 24-year-old – signed from Nottingham Forest last year – slipped onto his backside upon making contact with the ball and spooned it into the air, sending it about 10 yards from the corner flag.
Cracking up on TNT Sports commentary, Ally McCoist said: “We’ve got to [blame the pitch].
“We’ve got to cut him a bit of slack. There’s no getting away from it, it’s difficult to achieve what he did. Difficult to achieve.”
Larsson didn’t even crack a smile as he trudged back into position for the Brackley throw-in.
Thankfully for Burton, the gaffe wasn’t a sign of things to come as they booked their spot in round three courtesy of a 3-1 win.
Brackley were level for much of the game but Tyrese Shade netted two late goals for the visitors to complete his hat-trick.
The Burton hero said: “First hat-trick of my career, hopefully many more to come. I’m very chuffed.
“We knew it would be a tough challenge coming here to defend set pieces and whatnot. The job was to get into the next round and we’ve done that.”
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