Chelsea keepers Cudicini and Cech in
hospital
Sat 14 Oct, 11:06 PM
LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea had goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo
Cudicini taken to hospital after both were knocked unconscious in
the champions' 1-0 win at Reading on Saturday.
What proved to be an astonishing match at the Madejski Stadium
began with Czech keeper Cech colliding with Reading midfielder
Stephen Hunt in the first minute and being carried off.
Cudicini took over, but collided with Reading's Ibrahima Sonko at
the end of the game and needed treatment by paramedics before he
too was taken off on a stretcher.
Coach Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports: "Both are in hospital and both
were completely knocked out."
Mourinho said he thought Cech was lucky to be alive after being
caught in the head by Hunt, branding the Reading man's challenge "a
disgrace".
Mourinho made it clear he expected action from the Football
Association, though both Hunt and Reading manager Steve Coppell
denied there was any malice in the challenge.
Chelsea stayed second in the table on goal difference after league
leaders Manchester United came from behind to beat Wigan Athletic
3-1 in the day's early kickoff.
United and Chelsea have 19 points from eight games, three ahead of
Portsmouth who beat West Ham United 2-0. Arsenal moved up to fourth
with a 3-0 win over Watford.
Chelsea took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Frank
Lampard's free kick through a packed area was deflected in by
Icelandic defender Ivar Ingimarsson.
The champions suffered their second setback of the game when
Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel was sent off in the 62nd minute
for a second booking, hauling down French defender Sonko.
But Chelsea held on and it was all-square in terms of players when
Reading's Cameroon defender Andre Bikey was dismissed in the 83rd
minute.
Cudicini was taken off in the closing stages, reportedly having
been given oxygen and a neck brace. Captain John Terry had to play
in goal for the final minutes of stoppage time.
