Everton Football Club News

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

AJ blames diving row

27 Jan 2007 - 10:46:59

Click To Enlarge

Everton's England striker Andrew Johnson has blamed accusations of him being a diver for his injury in the 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic last weekend.

The 25-year-old has been denied penalties on several occasions this term and his desire to stay on his feet saw him flattened by Latics keeper Chris Kirkland, with the resulting ankle problem likely to keep Johnson sidelined for around a month.

He told the club's official website: "Usually I try to ride those sort of challenges and try to jump over the goalkeeper, but recently I have been branded a diver for doing that.

"It was a strange challenge from Kirkland because he came through two of us, myself and Dave Unsworth, to try and get the ball.

"It was a silly challenge and it took us both out, but I'm sure he didn't mean it.

"I've gone in for a challenge with Kirkland and heard a crack. I looked down to check that my ankle was still in place.

"I was so scared that it would be pointing the wrong way.

"I went to the hospital for checks and x-rays to see if it was broken. The fact that there were no cracks or fractures or dislocation was the main thing."