Toffees stand up for Johnson

6 november 2006, 16:50

Koen Freriks

Andrew Johnson's Everton team-mates believe the England striker is unfairly being branded as a diver.

Johnson has found himself criticised by both Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger of late, and Johnson's colleagues believe he is suffering at the hands of referees because of those comments. Johnson was jeered by Fulham fans at the weekend when he went down under a challenge from Ian Pearce, the penalty appeal was turned down by referee Martin Atkinson.

Everton defender Alan Stubbs said: "It was a stonewall penalty. A certain manager's comments has put all the referees on alert and I've no idea why the referee never gave it. That decision probably summed up his performance."