Cech blames ´bad defending´ for Chelsea loss

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has bemoaned his side’s defending following Saturday’s 5-3 loss to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues had twice led through Frank Lampard and John Terry although goals from Andre Santos, Theo Walcott and a Robin van Persie hat-trick, despite Juan Mata’s 80th-minute strike, ensured Arsenal would claim all three points.

The result means the Blues lost ground to both Manchester clubs in the title race and Cech has expressed his disappointment at the performance – and his side’s defending in particular.

“I am extremely disappointed about the result,” he said on his personal website.

“But there is nothing we can do about it now – the only response is to win the following games.”

“If my memory works well, this is the first time I have conceded five goals in one game. Up till this the maximum had been four.”

“It was a result of bad defending of the entire team, outlined by individual errors. We certainly can’t blame only the defenders for the goals, we played poorly as a team.”

The Czech Republic goalkeeper has been criticised in some quarters for his own performance and the Chelsea number one concedes that he was at fault for the goal that sealed van Persie’s hat-trick.

“The last goal from Robin van Persie was from such a position I shouldn’t concede goals,” he added.

“The ball may have changed trajectory but I should have caught it. As for Arsenal’s third goal, I had it difficult against Walcott’s shot.”

“He aimed it precisely between me and the post and, moreover, it was a hard shot.”