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Chelsea keeper Petr Cech rues error which led to Wigan draw but looking forward to Tottenham test
The Blues shot-stopper acknowledges Saturday’s setback has put the pressure right back on his side ahead of Thursday’s crunch clash with Spurs, but maintains they can recover
19 Dec 2011 10:27:00
By Liam Twomey
Getty Images
Chelsea keeper Petr Cech has admitted he’s not proud of the error which gifted Wigan a late equaliser at the DW Stadium on Saturday, and says the pressure is back on the Blues as they prepare to face Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Thursday evening.
Cech’s fumble from a tame Hugo Rodallega shot enabled Jordi Gomez to tap home a late leveller and secure a priceless point for the home side, as Chelsea slipped back to fourth in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Manchester City.
The 29-year-old afterwards revealed he had been unsighted by Rodallega’s initial shot, but conceded he still should have done better.
"I tried to catch the ball but it was too late,” Cech said. “I deflected it and it could have gone anywhere but it went straight to their player, which was unfortunate.
"I should have done better but, when you don't see the ball, it's hard to do something differently.
“I'll have to see the goal but the feeling I had on the pitch is this is not a goal I can be proud of."
Chelsea will now travel to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham on Thursday two points behind their top four rivals, and Cech admits the Blues are feeling the pressure.
"It's not an ideal point because we wanted to have three, and we can consider it as two points lost, but we have another game at Spurs and we need to get those points ideally back,” he added.
"Unfortunately when we are behind and chasing, any lost points puts you under more pressure to win every game.
"They [Spurs] have their game in hand, they are still in the top four and they are a direct opponent for the title and for the Champions League.
“This makes the game even more exciting."
Despite their current situation, however, Cech still remains unwilling to write Chelsea out of the title race with so many games still to play.
"We will see at the end of the season,” the Czech Republic international replied when asked if he thought his error against Wigan could prove crucial.
“You can lose some points at the start and catch up, and sometimes you have a great start then you have a run with some games when you keep dropping points, so let's see.
“We were on a bad run, we turned it round, and we have to keep going."
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Cech’s fumble from a tame Hugo Rodallega shot enabled Jordi Gomez to tap home a late leveller and secure a priceless point for the home side, as Chelsea slipped back to fourth in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Manchester City.
The 29-year-old afterwards revealed he had been unsighted by Rodallega’s initial shot, but conceded he still should have done better.
"I tried to catch the ball but it was too late,” Cech said. “I deflected it and it could have gone anywhere but it went straight to their player, which was unfortunate.
"I should have done better but, when you don't see the ball, it's hard to do something differently.
“I'll have to see the goal but the feeling I had on the pitch is this is not a goal I can be proud of."
Chelsea will now travel to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham on Thursday two points behind their top four rivals, and Cech admits the Blues are feeling the pressure.
"It's not an ideal point because we wanted to have three, and we can consider it as two points lost, but we have another game at Spurs and we need to get those points ideally back,” he added.
"Unfortunately when we are behind and chasing, any lost points puts you under more pressure to win every game.
"They [Spurs] have their game in hand, they are still in the top four and they are a direct opponent for the title and for the Champions League.
“This makes the game even more exciting."
Despite their current situation, however, Cech still remains unwilling to write Chelsea out of the title race with so many games still to play.
"We will see at the end of the season,” the Czech Republic international replied when asked if he thought his error against Wigan could prove crucial.
“You can lose some points at the start and catch up, and sometimes you have a great start then you have a run with some games when you keep dropping points, so let's see.
“We were on a bad run, we turned it round, and we have to keep going."
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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