30.12.2002 - "It was a penalty": Jeffers
Arsenal's Francis Jeffers has defended himself from accusations of
'diving' following the controversial penalty awarded to Arsenal in yesterday's Premiership clash at Highbury.
Jeffers this afternoon issued a statement claiming that he was 'disappointed' to hear Gerard Houllier's comments towards his actions which won Arsenal a late penalty from which they equalised, denying Liverpool a first league win in 8 weeks.
The statement read: "I am extremely disappointed by comments attributed to Mr Houllier. I'm an honest player and I certainly didn't dive for the penalty.
It was a great pass from Dennis Bergkamp and I saw two defenders close me down, so I let the ball run past me. As I've turned and started to run, John Arne Riise grabbed me and also clipped my heel.
It's as simple as that, it was a penalty. The referee was quick to blow to award the penalty and the linesman was even quicker to put his flag up. I don't have to defend myself. I know it was a penalty and the ref also said it was clear cut and that's all that matters."
However, Arsenal legend Tony Adams last night accused Jeffers of 'going down easily', and insisted the referee had made a mistake in awarding the penalty to the Gunners, a view shared by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson earlier today.
Ferguson said: "I can understand why Gerard was so angry. We hoped that Liverpool would win yesterday and I thought they were desperately unlucky not to do so."
The result of the match extended Arsenal's lead to 5 points over Man United and Chelsea, while Newcastle and Everton are a further 3 points behind. Liverpool currently stand in 6th place, 9 points behind Arsenal.
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