Matt Hughes
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PETR CECH’S FAST RECOVERY FROM A fractured skull has been one of the more uplifting features of Chelsea’s season so it was appropriate that his bravery should play a crucial role in their FA Cup triumph. The Czech Republic goalkeeper revealed yesterday that he was kicked in the face – albeit accidentally – by Ryan Giggs during their controversial 104th-minute collision that saw him bundled into the net and Manchester United claim a goal.
Cech maintains he was unsure whether the ball crossed the line, but is adamant he was fouled by Giggs. “I had both Giggs’s feet in my face so I couldn’t see the ball,” he said. “I cannot tell you whether it crossed the line, but for me it was a foul. I was not worried about being injured, I was just looking for the ball. I was holding it a long moment before he tackled me so I knew it was not a goal. Then I kept playing.
“I want to catch the ball, this is part of the goalkeeper’s game, so you need to dive at the feet of other people. If you hesitate you risk being injured again and since I came back I never had a thought about the incident and my injury. Once I decided to play I decided to play 100 per cent.”
Cech concedes it has been hard for him to come back from brain surgery. “It has been a difficult season for me and I am very happy I could play in the last part of it and could lift the trophy,” he said.
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we don't know that the referee didn't give a foul..cech had the ball in his hands (surely a foul if you're bundled over the line with feet in your face) and signalled play on rather than penalise chelsea with a free kick under their posts.
Jeff Winter on Sky sunday a.m. put this one and all other MU whinges to bed in the manner that Steve Bennett isn't allowed to!
Ian , Wokingham, England
I think Cech is being a little economical with the truth here. If you watch the incident from the angle which clearly shows the ball fully over the line you'll also clearly see that Cech is fully aware of it's position as he lifts it back over the line. The referee didn't give a foul therefore it can only be concluded it was a legitimate goal. Ah well it happens although I doubt Ferguson will still be banging on about "ghost" goals for 2 years like some whingers one could mention.
M.Walker, Manchester,
Indeed as you header suggests winning the FA cup was just reward for Cech. Following the unpunished assult on him by the Reading player, to come back after major head surgery and play as well as he has been even when wearing proctective headwear is nothing short of astounding. If he, and Cudicini another victim of assult at Reading, had been there all season there is no way Chelsea would have relinquished thier grip on the premiership trophy.
phil baldwin, london, england