Moyes: stop diving, not tackling
Updated on 07 November 2008
Everton boss David Moyes has defended the right of players to make tough tackles.
In the week which saw Arsene Wenger bemoan the challenges his players received at Stoke, Moyes said the Premier League would not be the same without big tackles.
Speaking ahead of his side's game with West ham this weekend, he also called for players that dive to face stricter penalties.
He said: "It's why the Premier League is so great. If it was all just down to good football we would all just sit down and watch La Liga each week.
"The Premier League is about the excitement and speed of the game - which constitutes challenges and great ability.
"It you are going to start taking challenges out of the game we are going to have to re-write the whole history book of football.
"How would Tommy Smith or Norman Hunter play today? Are you saying those players would struggle in the modern game?
"We have to keep doing it the correct way, which is good honest tackling and people who are diving, should get punished more often."
