Gary Neville has defended Luis Suarez over accusations he dived to win a penalty against Aston Villa, insisting it was "clever" play by the Liverpool forward. The Uruguayan went down under a challenge from Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Anfield to earn the spot kick that led to the home side's equalising goal. TV replays suggested there was minimal contact between the two players, but Neville said Guzan touched Suarez and criticised the American for a rash piece of goalkeeping. And he said Suarez simply did what every professional footballer is expected to do in that situation. "Every single weekend it becomes a point of national debate when a striker goes down in the box," he told Monday Night Football. "For me, the goalkeeper makes a really poor decision and 100 times out of 100, if a 'keeper comes flying out at a forward like that then you will end up with a penalty. "I don't know what Guzan was playing at and I think that when he was sat at home yesterday he'd be reflecting that he'd do something completely different next time. "A lot of people are offended by the potential that Luis Suarez has dived. If I was in an Aston Villa shirt, I'd be disappointed in my goalkeeper and if I was a Liverpool player I'd actually be disappointed if my player didn't go down in that position when a goalkeeper comes flying out. That's a professional point of view. The Sunday Supplement panel discuss whether Luis Suarez dived to win a penalty in Liverpool's draw with Aston Villa. "We're asking the question: is it a penalty or is it a dive? The answer is yes, it is a penalty because the knee of Guzan has gone into Suarez's ankle. "Does he dive? If you watch Suarez's left leg he throws himself to the ground, wins the penalty and plays for it. I'd call it clever as a professional. "People at home are offended by the fact that players can win penalties, but I'd call that terrible goalkeeping. Luis Suarez has done what I'd want a team-mate of mine to do in that position. "People may not like hearing that, but that's a fact." Clean game Former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore took to Twitter to accuse Suarez of diving, describing the decision as "embarrassing" and suggesting that the physical football has been "killed by cheats and divers". However, Neville believes all professional players have tried to earn an advantage by foul means during their careers. "I can understand the public want a clean game and they don't like it," he added. "But I can't believe ex professionals come out and suggest that they are offended by this. Every professional football player has tried to win an advantage or win a foul or go to ground easily during their career at some point. "I guarantee you, absolutely." ----------- None of you used to disagree with your golden boy Thoughts?
Speaking of which, what you make of this escaped lunatic? http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25804106
Why would I want to know what he thinks? You now call him a legend when a few months ago he was scum. The cheating Uruguayan racist dived. What's the big deal? Nothing new there. He cheats and always will...
I told him at clinical trials this medication could possibly turn him yellow He maintained he needed the £8.50 a day that was on offer though
Neville as usual is spot on with his analysis, if you read it fully he suggests Suarez Dived/went down easy as ALL professionals do now, what he also points out is the keeper made his mind up for him with the way he acted. This statement sums up his view of it. Neville believes all professional players have tried to earn an advantage by foul means during their careers. "I can understand the public want a clean game and they don't like it,"
