DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE

“Yes. I think van Nistelrooy does not help himself frankly.
He is a great player but his attitude is always provoking
and diving. He looks a nice boy but, on the pitch, he
doesn't always show fair behaviour.

“If Patrick had to go off van Nistelrooy should have gone
off. He (Vieira) is 100 per cent sure van Nistelrooy caught
him. Patrick should not have reacted but you punish more the
consequence than the source of the problem.

“He did Patrick before Patrick retaliated. He kicked him
with his right leg after he had made the foul. That's why I
think he should have gone as well."

On the penalty incident he remarked:

“Keown said he went for the ball. They both went for it and
I think it was harsh decision which provoked a lot of
incidents.”

And on what happened afterwards, well surprise surprise
Arsenal aren’t to blame:

“If you want to convince me that Martin Keown is a devil and
van Nistelrooy is an angel then you will have a big problem.
Van Nistelrooy is quite provocative and I would say that
every Arsenal player would confirm that.

“Of course, you cannot be unhappy when your opponent doesn't
score a goal, but their attitude was not linked to the
penalty. It was more linked to his overall attitude during
the game.”