Amokachi Backs Mikel, Blames Cech

Former Everton striker, Daniel Amokachi, has exonerated John Mikel Obi from the error which gave Liverpool their opening goal in Sunday’s 2-1 win against Chelsea.

Mikel received a vertical ball from Petr Cech on top of the area facing the goal, but was charged down and robbed under pressure by Charlie Adam, leading to a Liverpool passing sequence and goal.

But Amokachi, who is Nigeria’s Assistant coach, said goalkeeper Cech should shoulder the responsibility, not Mikel.

“Petr  Cech is to blame for it. As a goalkeeper, he should have known that throwing the ball to his mate in that manner would put him under pressure, especially when he is backing the opponents.

“When the ball came to Mikel, he had two options, either to play the ball back to Cech, or go to his left or right, but in the end he slipped.

“Looking at the slow motion, you will agree that Mikel had no fault as it showed how fast Charlie Adams was running to him.”

Mikel was hauled off at half time and Chelsea went on to lose their second home game on the spin.