West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green is convinced he won his battle of wills with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese's penalty miss in yesterday's 2-1 defeat.
"As a professional footballer, you kick thousands of balls every week and sometimes they don't come out right. I would have liked him to hit the target because I think I would have saved it! It is one of them things that happens and for a player of that quality it is surprising."
Green had "no idea" why the Portuguese attacker, who had put United in front in the first half with a firm header that gave the goalkeeper no chance, decided to go for power rather than his usual precision.
"You look at the ones he has taken before. He has stopped and looked where the keeper is going. He didn't this time. He took one against Everton at one-all in the 88th minute last week - the pressure was not any greater today. It is just something that happens."