Big Blow to Chelsea FC

Czech international goalkeeper Petr Cech, defending the goal for Chelsea, underwent surgery after being hit on the head by Irish midfielder Stephen Hunt during the weekend's Premiership match where Chelsea won 1-0 over Reading.

Just less than a minute into the match, Cech collided with Hunt, knocking him unconscious which resulted to the surgery for a depressed fracture of the skull. In the same match, substitute goalkeeper, Italian Carlo Cudicini, was also knocked down unconscious late in the match after he collided with Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko when he jumped for the ball, and was also hospitalized.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho demanded from the Football Association an investigation on the matter and take disciplinary action on Hunt. "You see players avoiding the keeper by jumping or going with the foot for the ball, but when a player goes with the knee direct to the face, he doesn't want to avoid him. A broken leg is one thing, a broken arm is another but an injury to your head is a different matter. The goalkeeper gets the ball and slides and then Hunt cannot go for the goal so he goes with his knee to his face. Unbelievable!", Mourinho said.

Reading manager Steve Coppell doesn't see any malice in the tackle. "Our disciplinary record last season was outstanding and we are trying to do the same this year", Coppell said.

The incident happened 16 seconds into the match at Madejski Stadium at Reading, England when Hunt chased a through ball with Cech denying him in the process. As Cech was sliding across the turf, Hunt appeared to clip him with his trailing leg.

Premiership leader Manchester United now has Chelsea hot behind their heels after that narrow victory over Reading but Mourinho's main concern is on his two injured goalkeepers. They will be playing in today's Champion's League match against heavyweight Barcelona at Stamford Bridge and Mourinho will be forced to use third option goalkeeper Hilario.

The 30-year-old Portuguese keeper has experience but Mourinho is not comfortable with Hilario's Chelsea debut in such an important and high profile match-up.

Cech is now fully conscious and his condition is getting better and is talking and receiving visitors. Cudicini, likewise, has resumed light training.

Hunt, meanwhile, had written to Cech wishing him a speedy recovery and was insistent the accident was unintentional. "I can guarantee that I did not attempt to injure Petr and am very upset that the collision has resulted in such a bad injury. It was very early on in the game. I just thought I could win the ball and went in for it and our momentum took us to each other."

Here are results of other Premiere League games played over the weekend: Fulham 2, Charlton Athletic 1; Newcastle United 1, Bolton Wanderers 2; Wigan Athletic 1, Manchester United 3; Arsenal 3, Watford 0; Aston Villa 1, Tottenham Hotspur 1; Liverpool 1, Blackburn Rovers 1; Manchester City 0, Sheffield United 0; Middlesborough 2, Everton 1; Portsmouth 2, Westham United 0.

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