Manchester United 2-3 Tottenham
Sir Alex Ferguson: “It was disappointing because the record has been fantastic. They gave us four minutes [injury time], that’s an insult to the game. It denies you a proper chance to win a football match. There were six substitutions, the trainer came on, so that’s four minutes right away and the goalkeeper must have wasted about two or three minutes and they took their time at every goal kick. That’s obvious to everyone today and it’s a flaw in the game that the referee is responsible for time keeping. It’s ridiculous that it’s 2012 and the referee still has control of that.”
Andre Villas-Boas: “We wrote history for our team. The satisfaction comes from that. The players really felt they could nick a win here and the overall performance was an expression of that desire and ambition, though in different ways. In the first half, we attacked and kept the ball. In the second, we defended. This is a very special night for us but our quest is to qualify for the Champions League. It is very difficult to go for the title. We understand it is a place where the great teams of this country belong. We want to win a trophy this season – and we want Champions League qualification.”
Fulham 1-2 Manchester City
Martin Jol: “They are a very good team but there is always a possibility against them to play your football like, for example, Arsenal did last week. We couldn’t keep the ball, they were stronger than us and more eager to score. The only thing we could do was defend, defend, defend and that is probably not enough if you would like a result against them. You can’t complain because they are a world-class team.”
Roberto Mancini: “This pitch is always a tough for us but the problem is we were 1-0 down and I don’t know why because the penalty was not a penalty. You saw everything. My opinion was that it was out [of the box] and it was no foul, no penalty. No, I don’t agree it was a penalty. What do you think? We accept this, but we’re not happy. This is true but we can do nothing, only continue to play. Sometimes it is a penalty but the referee is there to take a decision. Sometimes he does well, sometimes he can do bad.”
Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea
Arsene Wenger: “It’s sad because we have a good team and we were playing at home. We conceded two soft goals from set-pieces. They had three shots on target and they scored two goals. It’s a shame. The least we deserved was a draw. But you have to keep face and continue to play like we play. It’s dangerous in the big games when you have to go after the game – you expose yourselves to the counter-attack. There’s a lot of positives in this game and that’s what we have to take.”
Roberto Di Matteo: “I thought we played very well and deservedly won the game. It’s always difficult when you come to the Emirates Stadium. They’re a very good side. I thought we were excellent today. He (John Terry) showed his leadership and it was right to pick him. From start to the end, we never really defended too much or too deep. We tried to take the initiative and to go forward and create chances.”
Everton 3-1 Southampton
David Moyes: “I don’t think Everton managers can come in here and say ‘Let’s avoid relegation’ but I think that is always the first route for every club and it still is for Everton. The next part is then ‘Can we make a European spot and if you are very good can you make the dream spots, the big ones? I’d like to be in there, in the mix, during the season but I don’t think Manchester United and Manchester City will be worried to see Everton there at this time of the year. They might be worried if in April time we slip to the top of the league.”
Nigel Adkins: “Goals change games and with 25 minutes gone the first real passage of play when Everton put a consecutive period of passes together gave them a goal. The crowd got behind them, they upped their tempo and the second goal came from a counter-attack which changed the complexion of the game. For the 10 minutes before half-time Everton were well in the ascendancy and we weren’t able to deal with it.”
Norwich City 2-5 Liverpool
Chris Hughton: You cannot afford to give them the opportunities we gave them and that is disappointing. We will make no excuses for today or for the points we have got so far this season. We are all still annoyed, disappointed and angry with the goals that we conceded because it doesn’t matter who you are playing if you give the opposition those sorts of opportunities there’s every chance you could lose.”
Brendan Rodgers on Luis Suarez: “His goals here were incredible last year and this was another masterclass in finishing apart from the one on one chance. His first goal was terrific. The second one typifies him because he missed his easiest chance he had, but he didn’t get disappointed, won back the ball, nutmegged the defender with an incredible piece of skill and then to finish the way he did was brilliant. It was a special day for him and the team.”
Sunderland 1-0 Wigan Athletic
Martin O’Neill on Steven Fletcher: “I agree, yes – £35million without a problem, and add-ons. He did very, very well. He was brilliant today for us. Wigan came and played their part, and I have to thank Mignolet for making two incredibly good saves for us to keep it at 0-0. Fletcher has come up big again for us, so eventually we have won the game, although it was edgy towards the end. But the win was vitally important for us and it keeps us going.”
Robeto Martinez on red card: “I think it’s harsh. It’s harsh because Danny Rose loses the ball slightly. Jordi tackles as a striker tackles, showing the studs, but he never leaves the ground, it’s not a two-footed challenge.I can understand why the referee gave it, but I think it’s very, very harsh.”
Reading 2-2 Newcastle United
Brian McDermott: “It is disappointing to say the least. I think every angle in the world shows it’s a handball. There is no doubt. You are not allowed to go in to see the referee until half past five. I will go in then and ask him (about the decision). He will probably say `sorry I missed it’ and I am sure he will be when he sees it later. [Pardew] said they were fortunate to get the draw. It was handball. It makes you feel a lot worse. If they score a great goal you can live with that.”
Alan Pardew: “I have seen it again and it definitely hits Demba’s arm. The performance level from us was down. We can’t keep relying on our spirit and a bit of quality to get us these points. Some good teams will get beaten here and we were fortunate we weren’t one of them.”
Stoke City 2-0 Swansea City
Tony Pulis: “I’m not reluctant (to talk about Crouch and England), but Roy has a lot of experience and the last thing I want to do is tell him what team to pick. It has to be up to him. I don’t think Peter can do any more than score goals and play well, and you have seen him today – in the first half he was unplayable.”
Michael Laudrup on Ben Davies’ penalty claim: “From the bench it seemed like he was touched and that it was a penalty, but having seen it a couple of times more, I have more doubts. I don’t think we have to go into arguing about whether it’s a penalty or a yellow card. It can be in between – it is possible that it’s not a penalty and you don’t have to give a yellow card. In this case, the referee thinks Ben is trying to dive and gives him a yellow card. All I can say is that this is a 19-year-old boy and I don’t think he has that in him. I don’t think he tried to dive.”
