http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...e-claims/article-3335819-detail/article.html? STOKE star Matthew Etherington insists he is no FA Cup cheat after taking flak over the penalty he won against West Ham. Etherington was criticised by pundits after going down 14 seconds into the second half of Stoke's FA Cup quarter-final victory on Sunday. But the flying winger hit back today by insisting: "I felt contact at the time. "At that stage of the game, and after their goal appeared to be a handball, it looked as though the ref was going to give us something. "But I'm not a player who dives. If people want to have a go at me, it's water off a duck's back because I know I felt contact. "And I missed the penalty, so it had no bearing on the game anyway." Etherington was left cursing himself over that miss, but says he will be happy to step up and take Stoke's next spot-kick if asked to do so. "I had half an idea Robert Green would go to the right," he recalled, "so I was going to put it to the left. ButI changed my mind in the run-up and went right. "I'd scored my previous four, so I was bound to miss one. I was trying not to let it affect me during the game, but if we'd gone on to lose the game I wouldn't have got much sleep that night. "We will see if I take the next one, but I'm more than happy to do so." Victory over West Ham was especially sweet for the former Hammer, but he insists next month's Wembley date with Bolton is also one for the fans. "It was a great result against my former club," Etherington added, "but our fans were fantastic, and that win was just as much for thembecause they deserve a big day out at Wembley. "Now we just have to try to give them an even bigger day out at the final if we can get there."
storm in a teacup because he missed it anyway. Had it been the goal that clinched the game then yes they would have a debate on their hands. Personally i think his standing heel was clipped as he ran through so it was a peno anyway!
The only players of ours that I myself feel would dive to get a penalty are Fuller and maybe Pennant. Matty just doesn't come across as the type to dive.
Sgt I was about to say the same as you did mate. But Matty I honestly don't think he did nor would he. Honest oppinion and this is before and after seeing the t.v. replay. I sit right behind left hand post, half way back Boothen End. It looked straight away a penalty and the ref didn't look twice did he? I think there was some contact and if Matty say's he didn't dive I believe him. Anyone remember the Hull City game at home? Fuller brought down by their keeper. Fuller was accused of diving too. Until you saw that replay. Either way, I'm now glad he missed and we did win fair square and more than deserved it. Despite what Mr Grant might think.
It looked a bit of a dive, but he'd got one player leaning in on him from the left, and Parker coming in with the challenge from the right, so just trying to get out of the way of Parker would have made him lose balance. He probably could have stayed on his feet though.
When you watch it closely he was clipped and lost balance and went down.Normally we dont get these but we more than desereved it.
There was contact there's no doubt about it however whether it was enough to take him down is another question
