Neville never enjoyed making Manchester United pay the penalty

20 April 2009 12:42
Everton captain Phil Neville has admitted taking a penalty against his former club was one of the hardest moments of his career. [LNB]Neville stepped up to take Everton's third penalty after Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand had missed for Manchester United, but refused to celebrate in front of the fans that used to sing his name. [LNB]'Taking that was one of the most nerve-racking things I have ever done,' he revealed.[LNB][LNB][LNB] Waiting game: Neville held off until after the penalties before celebrating[LNB] 'When I scored I did not want to celebrate in front of the Manchester United fans. You don't celebrate in front of people who have helped you in your career, but inside I was burning. When we won it I was just happy to celebrate with the Everton fans.'[LNB] However, Neville's gesture is nothing new. Refusing to celebrate in front of former fans has become de rigeur - unless you're Eric Cantona returning to Elland Road with Manchester United. [LNB]Denis Law (Manchester City v Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth v Tottenham), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United v West Ham) and many others have refused to acknowledge goals against their former clubs out of respect for the fans that once revered them.  [LNB][LNB][LNB] Cheeky: Law (2nd left) didn't raise a smile after his famous back-heel[LNB] [LNB] Nothing to shout about: Defoe and Tevez keep it low key after hurting old clubs[LNB] Fever pitch: Wembley not fit for my stars to play on, blasts fuming FergieCahill hails Hiddink but warns Chelsea boss Everton will be up for the cupReferees are too scared of media to award us penalties, fumes United skipper FerdinandHoward's joy as Everton keeper gets one over on his old United palsVIDEO SPECIAL: Don't worry Berbatov, here are five penalties that were even worse than the United flop's FA Cup missMan Utd 0 Everton 0: Jagielka wins penalty lottery after Riley ignores tripMartin Samuel: Why we're better off with a winner from out of the blueBlue heaven: Key moments in day of joy for penalty kings EvertonEVERTON FC

Source: Daily_Mail