• Premier League

Cech: Suarez is not a cheat

ESPN staff
November 13, 2012
Petr Cech was beaten by Luis Suarez for Liverpool's equaliser © Getty Images
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Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has leapt to the defence of Luis Suarez, claiming the Liverpool striker has an unfair reputation as a diver.

Suarez has frequently been criticised by rival managers for going to ground too easily, but Cech believes the Uruguay international deserves credit for his performance during Sunday's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Suarez threatened to snatch a late winner for Liverpool but the keeper praised Suarez for staying on his feet when he could have tried to win a penalty.

"We should give Suarez credit because when we had a one- versus-one, he didn't try to cheat and jump or dive, and that was a fair thing for him to do," Cech said in the Sun.

"We all know how dangerous he is in the box. He's a natural goalscorer, always in the right place to tap the ball in. It's a gift not everyone has. He is on fire this season in terms of scoring goals and, unfortunately, he had the chance to keep that run going on Sunday."

Suarez appeared to push Ramires before nodding in a second-half equaliser to earn a point for Liverpool but Cech says Chelsea can have no complaints as they should have killed off the game earlier.

"Suarez is a clever player and he did it in a moment when the referee and his assistant couldn't have seen it," Cech said. "I don't know how much of a push there was by Suarez but we should have been 3-0 up and we shouldn't be discussing the incident."

Having failed to keep a single clean sheet in his last eight Chelsea games, Cech is hoping to stop leaking goals to ensure his side remain in the title race after the Blues picked up just two points from their last three Premier League games.

"Every single point matters when you want to win the league and even goal difference can be decisive," Cech said. "It is looking like the title race is going to be between three teams this season and we have lost valuable points in our last three games against United, Swansea and now Liverpool.

"Sometimes I would like more clean sheets but the most important thing is to win so, even if it finishes 5-4, I can live with it. Winning 5-4 is better than drawing 0-0 but if you don't keep clean sheets you always have to score more than one."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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