Shearer still confident of Premier League survival

Apr 5 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

“We’ve got to stop conceding silly goals. We’ve had a chat in the dressing room and know what needs to be done, but knowing and doing are two different things.”

But Shearer was also left to rue a linesman’s failure to spot that Michael Owen’s 73rd-minute deflected shot – with United 2-0 down – had apparently crossed the line.

“I thought it was in,” said Shearer. “I’ve seen it on TV and it looks in.

“It was a mistake from the linesman and might have given us a rousing last 10 minutes, but it’s not his fault we lost that game today.”

Shearer was also concerned by the first-half injury to Peter Lovenkrands which left the Dane on a stretcher and apparently unconscious.

“He got a very, very nasty knock on his back and was struggling to breathe,” Shearer confirmed.

“They had to put breathing apparatus on him in the dressing room and he went off to hospital.

“But they have thankfully stabilised him, and hopefully he will be OK.”

And although that is one more worry Shearer hardly needs ahead of next Saturday’s crunch clash at Stoke, he added: “We will go there positive. But I’m pleased today is over with.”

Chelsea’s own temporary manager, Guus Hiddink – who called for video technology to be introduced to rule on incidents like the Owen “goal” – said: “I am sure, despite defeat today, this team will recover.”