A review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.
Arsene Wenger believes his young team has undergone a transformation during the season after they extended their long unbeaten run. The Gunners are without a Premier League defeat in 17 games after Saturday`s 2-0 win at Manchester City and although they have cemented their place back in the top four, Wenger concedes that they needed a better start if they wanted to challenge for the title.Wenger admitted: "If we had won two more games, we could have been challenging, but the other teams could maybe say that as well. We are 17 unbeaten, but we lost five of the first 14 - you can't do that and win the league. However, it shows that when a team is young, they can improve and they are showing that now. We are not the same team that was playing in the autumn."
Martin O'Neill vowed his Aston Villa side will bounce back from the heartbreak of their last-minute defeat at Old Trafford. Villa were leading until 10 minutes from time when Cristiano Ronaldo levelled for Manchester United who snatched an injury-time winner through Federico Macheda. It left Villa six points adrift of Arsenal in the battle for fourth place with just seven matches remaining. O'Neill said: "We are not finished. We play Everton next week, which is a massive game for both teams."
Sam Allardyce stressed the result was all that mattered after his Blackburn side earned a vital 2-1 win over Spurs. Rovers looked to be heading for defeat courtesy of Robbie Keane's penalty until Spurs midfielder Wilson Palacios was sent off and Benni McCarthy and Andre Ooijer struck to move Rovers clear of the drop zone. "It was not our best performance, I know that," admitted Allardyce. "But our battling qualities, our determination to go right to the end got us the victory. It is not so much about the display but the result. It is all about getting the three points. We are the team in form down at the bottom end. We are on the rise."
Gary Megson will not allow his Bolton side to become complacent despite moving well clear of the relegation zone with their 4-1 win over Middlesbrough. Megson`s men are now up to 37 points after goals from Kevin Davies, Gary Cahill, Matt Taylor and Ricardo Gardner, but the Wanderers manager is still demanding a strong end to the campaign. He said: "Obviously it is a great result. We have played that game with the knowledge if we put in a good performance and get a good win this was a really defining Saturday. We are eight points above the relegation zone with probably a better goal difference than most in there so it is going to be difficult [to be caught]. But I don't think we can turn around and say if we finish on 37 points that will be enough. At times we didn't pass brilliantly or finish brilliantly but right the way through the game we battled and worked our socks off and we got our just rewards."
Guus Hiddink admitted his side's canter to victory over Alan Shearer's Newcastle at St James' Park made his side's shock defeat to Tottenham two weeks ago hurt more than ever. Goals from Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda helped Hiddink's men cling to the coat-tails of Manchester United but the Dutchman knows his side could have been in a much stronger position in the Barclays Premier League title race. Hiddink said: "We said before that we are still in the title race but now we regret even more that we lost points against Spurs. We have to keep fighting and keep the pressure on the teams above us. The pressure is also on us not to spoil more points, as we did against Spurs. We have to keep winning and with two home games now coming up we have to keep the pressure on and let's see what happens. We have a lot of very big games coming up and it's nice. It's April and May and it's the finish of the season and it's going to be very challenging for everyone."
David Moyes was delighted with the way his players responded after the international break. Everton bounced back strongly from their defeat at Portsmouth by beating Wigan Athletic 4-0 at Goodison Park and Moyes said: "The hardest thing is to get your players going again after internationals, you never know how they are. They have all had a couple of games and a lot of travel, but they have every right to be tired. But the ones who have travelled the furthest, Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar, were excellent. We have got the defeat at Portsmouth out of our system. I was worried about that, but we were back to our best."
Roy Hodgson was devastated after seeing his side fight so hard, only to lose out so close to the final whistle as they went down 1-0 to Liverpool. The Reds had hit the woodwork four times in the first half but the Cottagers looked to have held on for a point until Yossi Benayoun`s late, late goal which took them back to the top of the table. Hodgson said: "It's a bitter blow to lose in injury-time after such a battling performance against an in-form team. That is frustrating and disappointing. We had dangerous situations. They had more possession but we dealt with things reasonably well. I cannot fault the players for their commitment. But when you can bring on players like (Ryan) Babel and Benayoun it is a great advantage. Benayoun's goal was a bit fortunate but he took it very well."
Phil Brown believes Hull City's 0-0 draw with Portsmouth was a point gained despite missing the chance to ease their fears of relegation. Glen Johnson was sent off 10 minutes from time in an uninspiring clash at the KC Stadium, but both clubs moved a further point away from the bottom three, with all three sides currently in the drop zone losing. And Brown said: "If you are in a situation at the bottom of any division and the bottom three don't win, and you get something from your game, it has to be a gain. Would we have deserved three points? I would probably say no. Would they? I would probably say no to that. I think the lack of quality in the final third from both teams was the reason why it was a 0-0 draw."
Rafael Benitez says he will not get carried away despite his side going back to the top of the table with a 1-0 win at Fulham. The Reds have reeled in Manchester United in recent weeks and Yossi Benayoun`s last-gasp goal secured a 1-0 win at Fulham to move them two points clear ahead of United`s home match with Aston Villa on Sunday. And Benitez was delighted to have sent the Reds fans home happy with renewed hope of a first league title since 1990. The Spaniard said: "Hopefully we can keep them happy to the end. I was really pleased. We have a lot of confidence, but as a manager you have to be calm." Benitez had started Benayoun on the bench because he was suffering from a slight hamstring problem and the chances are he will fulfil the same role on Wednesday in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Anfield against Chelsea. "We had to protect him, he is not 100% fit," added Benitez, who otherwise played a virtually full strength side and saw them hit the woodwork four times in a dramatic first half.
Mark Hughes admits Manchester City need to "pick ourselves up" after suffering another away defeat - this time 2-0 at Arsenal. City have not won away since August and to make matters worse ahead of Thursday`s UEFA Cup meeting with Hamburg, Hughes saw Stephen Ireland injured before the game and both Wayne Bridge and Vincent Kompany hobble off during the first half. Hughes said: "We did not have enough power and presence on the field, but were compromised by the changes we had to make because of injuries. In the end we just did not have enough to get back at a very good Arsenal side. But we have got to pick ourselves up now because we have got a huge game on Thursday in the UEFA Cup against Hamburg."
Sir Alex Ferguson loves watching Manchester United throw caution to the wind as they produced another of their famed stunning fightbacks to overcome Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford. With 10 minutes remaining it seemed the Red Devils were heading for a third successive defeat and about to hand the title initiative to main rivals Liverpool. Then, Cristiano Ronaldo drilled home his second goal of the match, setting the stage for 17-year-old Federico Macheda to curl home a sublime winner in the second minute of stoppage time to send Old Trafford into ecstasy. Ferguson: "In those situations, I gamble. Winning is the name of the game at this club. Risks are part of football and this club has been that way for a long time. I love to see that kind of adventure. Yes, there are times when we don't defend properly - and we didn't defend well today - but there is always a goal threat. There is always a chance we can win the match - and that is more exciting than anything."
Gareth Southgate was critical of his side's performance at both ends of the pitch as the 4-1 defeat at Bolton left them in real trouble in 19th place in the Barclays Premier League. The Teessiders are five points from safety with just seven matches remaining and a ninth successive loss away from home - their worst run since the Second World War. Kevin Davies put Bolton ahead with his 12th league goal of the season in only the eighth minute, only for Gary O'Neil to equalise seven minutes before half-time. However, Gary Cahill fired home just before the interval, Matt Taylor curled in a fortuitous free-kick over the heads of the defence and Ricardo Gardner added a late fourth. With Blackburn and Stoke both winning Boro face a daunting task if they are to survive with seven matches remaining. "We didn't do enough of the things we need to do to win football matches," said Southgate. "We defended really poorly and we haven't done enough to deserve anything from the game. To come here and lose 4-1 is very disappointing. We didn't start very well defensively as a team, we were second to too many things, but we always looked like we would be a threat on the break."
Manager Alan Shearer felt his side had been the victims of an error from the linesman in their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea - but refused to blame the loss on the official. Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda struck to give the Blues a 2-0 lead but the Magpies thought they were back in it 17 minutes from time when Michael Owen`s deflected cutback appeared to have crossed the line before being hacked clear by Ashley Cole. And Shearer said: "I thought it was in from where I was standing - I would say that, wouldn't I? I'm a manager now. I have seen it on TV and it looks in. It's a mistake from the linesman. What it might have done was give us a rousing last five or 10 minutes, but it was certainly not his fault that we lost the game."
Paul Hart was happy with his side`s efforts after they earned a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Hull City. Both teams dropped places in the table after the draw - which saw Glen Johnson sent off for the visitors - but moved a further point clear of danger. Portsmouth are now 16th, four points above 18th-placed Newcastle with the Tigers a point better off. And Hart said: "I think we have got to be happy with a point overall. A lot of our players have had a difficult week playing around the world or two games for England. Sometimes that takes its toll because we are not in a position where we can rotate the whole team. We have to ask the players to play under all circumstances and they do so willingly."
Tony Pulis called on his Stoke side to build on their first away win in the Barclays Premier League after they beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0. Goals in either half from Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie secured the win and Pulis was delighted. He said: "The monkey is off our back with the away win. I am very pleased we have done it with the fans not having to travel too far from home because they will have had a great night. It has been disappointing that we haven't had the win until now but we have played very well away from home. We just haven't got the results we deserved. But this is all new territory and new experiences and the players have to glean things from that. We've got to try and build on this if we can."
Ricky Sbragia admits his side are desperate for a win after their 2-0 defeat at West Ham left them perilously close to the drop zone. The Black Cats are now just one place and three points ahead of their fierce rivals Newcastle, who currently occupy the final relegation spot after goals from Junior Stanislas and James Tomkins. "It's going to be difficult, we need a win badly," said Sbragia. "We have to play Manchester United next which will be difficult. We can't depend on others. I thought we gave our all but the first goal was always going to be crucial and unfortunately we conceded it."
Harry Redknapp was upset with the decision to send midfielder Wilson Palacios off in the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn. Robbie Keane`s penalty - after a handball by Gael Givet - had Spurs on course for victory until Palacios was shown two yellow cards, and Benni McCarthy and Andre Ooijer netted to give the home side the points. Redknapp said: "He never made contact with him (Dunn) for the second card. He was our best player but even with the sending off we should have shut the game out. But it gave them a lift." It was Tottenham's first defeat in seven league matches after their revival under Redknapp who felt Spurs were well in control until Palacios was banished to the dressing room. "I cannot believe what happened," said Redknapp. "I could not see them scoring. We were in complete control and I was looking for us to get a second."
Tony Mowbray concedes his side have a mountain to climb to avoid relegation after the 2-0 defeat to Stoke. Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie struck to seal the Potters` first away win of the season and leave the Baggies bottom - eight points adrift of safety. And Mowbray said: "This is a huge disappointment. We talked about having two big home games against Bolton and Stoke and we have taken one point. It makes life very difficult for us. To give Stoke a goal start after two minutes is the scenario we didn't want. We talked about getting the first goal and trying to drag them out and create more space and to give them a goal after two minutes played into their hands. You've got to give them great credit. They defended very well and even at the death they were still throwing their bodies in the way and blocking things. Ultimately we weren't good enough and didn't get the result and Stoke came and did the job."
Gianfranco Zola saluted his youngsters for keeping the club's European hopes alive despite an injury crisis at Upton Park. Junior Stanislas, 19, marked his first start with the opener against Sunderland and 20-year-old James Tomkins added another after the restart. The 2-0 win moved the Hammers to seventh in the Barclays Premier League, which should be enough to reach the Europa League next season. Zola admitted he had to field his youngsters after injuries to senior players such as Scott Parker and Carlton Cole. "It's amazing to see our young players doing so well," said the Italian. "We need their energy and strength. We will need them to help us achieve our goals. When you have a great team spirit it's easy for whoever comes in to do a good job."
Steve Bruce admitted that his fatigued side were beaten by the better side at Goodison. The Latics manager was visibly disappointed with the 4-0 defeat but defended his team's performance explaining it was totally out of character and owed much to the long distance travelling the core of his team have had to endure over the last two weeks. He said: "Sometimes you have to take a beating, and I think Everton were far better than us all over the park. They were excellent in their display. It's very difficult for us after internationals with all the travelling our players have to do. When they have to travel away it's to the likes of South America and that tiredness showed. Those that have seen us over the last few months will agree it wasn't a typical Wigan performance. Where we've looked rock solid and difficult to beat before-hand, we looked out of place. I don't want to make excuses though, I thought Everton were terrific. They were the best side that have played us all season."
(From Website : http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1613574,00.html)
