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Russian Defender Evgeni Chernov Makes Greatest Goal Line Clearance Ever

Russian Defender Evgeni Chernov Makes Greatest Goal Line Clearance Ever

The full-back was already over the line but managed to throw himself at the ball and prevent the opposition from scoring.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

FC Rostov defender Evgeni Chernov pulled off probably the best last ditch defending ever and and helped his team remain top of the Russian Premier League with a win over Lokomotiv Moscow.

Pundits and ex players often bemoan the lack of defensive ability in modern football but in the week that Virgil van Dijk won the UEFA Player of the Year Chernov again proved the art is alive.

Twice the full-back had to clear the ball off the line in seconds with Chernov literally throwing his body back over the line from inside the goal to stop the second shot going in, incredible.

The double save was a literal game winner. Rostov were 2-1 up away at Lokomotiv Moscow and in injury time when the hosts looked certain to score an equaliser, with Rostov keeper Egor Baburin well and truly beaten.

The win puts Rostov three points clear of Lokomotiv and top of the table, three points ahead of the four points below them though three of those are set to play today with Spartak Moscow and Zenit playing each other.

It certainly has been a good week for defenders. On Thursday at the Champions League Group Stage draw Van Dijk became the first defender ever to win the UEFA Player of the Year Award.

The Dutchman beat Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo into second and third respectively after his brilliant performances for Liverpool helped lead them to Champions League victory.

Even in the awards former guise as UEFA Club Footballer of the Year no defender had ever won the award before the 28-year-olds victory.

Van Dijk's move to Anfield 18 months ago for a then world record fee for £75 million has raised the prices of defenders, with Manchester United breaking the record with their purchase of Harry Maguire this summer, but Chernov proved that their contribution can often be priceless.

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Topics: Russia

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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