Cech Bounces Back To Foil Hammers

By Danny Wright

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink believes his goalkeeper, Petr Cech, is back to his best after a stunning penalty save in his side’s 1-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.

The stopper has also kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League after Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge.

The Czech made three fine saves that night to deny Jo twice and midfielder Tim Cahill with some smart keeping.

Cech’s form came under fire after a shaky display in the 4-4 Champions League quarter-final draw with Liverpool a fortnight ago.

But Hiddink now believes Cech is back to his best after saving Mark Noble’s 70th minute spot-kick.

“That was good for him. There is no point in disguising the fact Cech has had some difficult times recently,” Hiddink told the News of the World. 

“But if you talk about regaining confidence I would say he already did that with some really good saves in our draw against Everton,”

“What we have seen with that penalty save, though, is that we have a keeper.”

Earlier, Salomon Kalou had fired the Blues into the lead, with Cech’s save ensuring the three points went back to Stamford Bridge.

West Ham thought they had found a way back into the match when Herita Illunga was fouled, only for Cech to save Noble’s effort.

The save will have no doubt boosted Chelsea’s hopes ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final date with Barcelona at the Nou Camp.