Cech not expecting apology

Goalkeeper disappointed Van Persie's equaliser was not ruled out

By Vasek Kadlec   Last updated: 1st December 2008

arsenal robin van persie first goal v chelsea

Cech: Surprised goal stood

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Petr Cech does not expect Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari to receive an apology from the officials following the 2-1 defeat by Arsenal.

Scolari has demanded an apology from referee Mike Dean and his fellow officials after Robin van Persie's controversial equaliser at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Van Persie was offside when he received Denilson's pass before firing an unstoppable shot past Cech, but the Blues keeper does not anticipate a response from the officials.

"It is a part of the game that the referee makes a mistake," Cech told Denik Sport. "I have never seen a referee issuing an apology for his mistake.

"Personally, I don't expect it. On the other hand, it was a goal making it 1-1, not 1-2."

Surprised

Cech admits that he instinctively knew that Van Persie was in an offside position before the Dutch ace blasted his effort into the top corner.

The Czech Republic international added: "I never do it, but this time I immediately had a look at the referee.

"I saw Van Persie staying in front already at the first header, he did not move then. That is why I was surprised that the referees did not see it.

"So I told myself, 'Okay, probably one of our players was nearer to me', although that seemed odd to me. Anyway, it was a clear offisde.

"It is a pity, that goal boosted Arsenal. Only three minutes later they scored another."

Chelsea have now won just three of their eight home games in the Premier League this season and Cech is hoping the leaders can now maintain their 100 per cent away record at Bolton Wanderers this weekend.

Response important

He continued: "We have unnecessarily dropped too many points, which means that we will have to pick them up elsewhere.

"It is a pity as it would be enough for us to be continuing with the good results that we have away from home. We would have been absolutely at ease.

"It is hard to say what is wrong. We had not been beaten here for four-and-a-half years and now it has turned over. We are not successful in killing off games.

"Anyway, we must rise as an enormously difficult match at Bolton is up next. It is never easy to win there. Our response will be very important."

Prem 2008/09 Win Outright: Chelsea 9/4