Players quick to defend goalkeeper

England's coach and leading players have urged supporters not to vilify David Seaman in the way that David Beckham was after France 98.

The Arsenal goalkeeper was caught off his line by Ronaldinho's free-kick for Brazil's winning goal in yesterday's World Cup quarter-final but, when Sven Goran Eriksson was asked if it was fair to blame Seaman for the defeat, the England coach insisted: "That would be very wrong. Absolutely not. If you should kill mentally every player who makes a mistake, you wouldn't have many players in the squad for the next time.

"It was a lucky goal for Ronaldinho. Whatever he says, I'm sure he wanted to cross the ball. David had a very good tournament. He shouldn't be upset but I can understand that he is.

"Mistakes happen in football and you can't blame yourself or him for that. He saved us many times during the qualifying games and at this tournament."

Beckham said: "If anyone tries to make a scapegoat out of David then it will be an absolute disgrace because I think he has been the best goalkeeper in this tournament.

"The goal was not his fault. It was a fluke. It was a cross that ended up being a goal. Seaman has had a world-class tournament."

The defender Rio Ferdinand agreed. "It was a freak goal," he said "I think [Ronaldinho] meant to cross it. I was in the drug testing area with him after the game and I asked him whether he meant it and he just started laughing. It wasn't the best way to go out but I don't think there is a good way."