Ex-Toon Defender Shows Ferguson How To Defend!

Last Updated : 10-Mar-2008 by
Distin could be following ex-Newcastle players Jermain Jenas and Jonathan Woodgate with a winners medal at Wembley this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he should have been awarded a penalty in the sixth minute when his charge into the Pompey penalty area was blocked by Distin.

Ferguson was also livid with Atkinson but Distin is adamant his challenge was fair.

Distin: "If every time you touch a player it is a penalty, how do you defend?

"This is football - it is a contact sport.

"I went shoulder to shoulder with him. I was not going to move out of the way.

"If you cannot do this and you cannot do that, then you are not able to defend."

Ferguson not only rounded on Atkinson but referees' supremo Keith Hackett as well.

Ferguson: "He (Hackett) is not doing his job properly and he needs to be assessed.

"I'm assessed as a manager, players are assessed, referees should be assessed properly by the right people. That performance should not be accepted by our game."