Gomes - Bent dived

Spurs goalkeeper says penalty should not have been given

Last updated: 8th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gomes - Bent dived

Gomes: Penalty save

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Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has accused Sunderland striker Darren Bent of diving to earn his missed penalty at White Hart Lane.

Gomes says Bent purposefully ensured his leg connected with his opponent when falling to the ground just yards from goal in Saturday's 2-0 defeat.

Sunderland, however, feel the Spurs keeper should have been sent off for hindering Bent who was clear on goal.

Bent, who left Spurs for Sunderland in the summer, went on to miss the penalty, which could have brought the Black Cats back on level terms with his old club.

Although delighted with making the save, Gomes insists the referee should never have awarded a penalty in the first place.

Dive

"I didn't think I would get sent off because I didn't think it was a penalty," Gomes said. "When I saw the ball was going out I pulled my arm back.

"It's a difficult situation but it is his (Bent's) job. The referee needs to know these things, that when a striker comes to the 18-yard box they try to dive for a penalty. They have to know.

"I don't accept something like that but you have to keep going when the referee gives a penalty, you have to try to save it."

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce backed his striker suggesting Bent had to manoeuvre quickly to avoid further contact.

The Black Cats boss then made clear his feelings towards referee Kevin Friend who elected not to issue Gomes with a red card.

"This was the same against Man United last season when I got the ball," Gomes said.

"This time I didn't get the ball but it was not a penalty either. Maybe when he dived he changed the game.

"I spoke to Darren afterwards. We didn't speak about the penalty, just about the save. He is a great striker but it's my job to save."