Everton Football Club

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

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42440

Neville leaps to AJ defence

06 Nov 2006 - 13:16:37

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Defender Phil Neville has urged team-mate Andrew Johnson to rise above the criticism after the Everton striker was once again in the spotlight during the weekend's action.

Johnson has drawn criticism from several Premiership managers for his behaviour in the penalty box this season, but Neville has leapt to the defence of the England striker.

Johnson - the subject of diving claims since his arrival at Goodison Park in the summer - was denied two spot-kick claims as Everton fell to a 1-0 defeat at Fulham on Saturday.

"It's always going to be difficult for Andy Johnson to get a penalty these days," Neville told the Liverpool Post.

"So many Premiership managers are talking about him diving all the time, which is totally ludicrous.

"Andy is that quick and that sharp that he beats defenders for pace and can nick the ball away and he gets fouled. How he goes down doesn't matter, if it's a foul, it's a foul.

"I think maybe certain managers should concentrate on their own players rather than opposition players."