Arsenal
Arsenal Arsene Wenger lamented the way Arsenal failed to hold off the late challenge of a battling West Ham United side after letting a 2-0 lead slip and draw 2-2. The manager said: "We were in control, but as long as you do not score the third goal, you know the game is not won. In fairness, West Ham continued to fight until the last minute and we conceded from two set pieces, which were generous ones. I do not think that either should have been given, but we cannot influence the decision of the referee. The crowd got behind the referee's decision and then it is always difficult away from home. We are an intelligent team and an intelligent team makes the maximum result with the game they produce. That is what we did not do. We complicated our game a little bit and had five or six chances in the second half, but we missed the final ball. That is what we have to learn."
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Aston Villa
Aston Villa Martin O'Neill was upset with his side's first-half performance in their 1-1 draw against Midlands rivals Wolves. Villa failed to really come out of the blocks in the opening 45 minutes but improved significantly after the break, and Gabriel Agbonlahor's 79th-minute finish looked to have secured the points until Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's late penalty. And after his side's impressive display in the home win over Chelsea a week ago, O'Neill said: "I am disappointed. We didn't play well in the first half. We couldn't get it down and play. There was not a great deal of football played in the first half. I thought we improved significantly in the second half. We looked able to cope and limited them to very little. This was always going to be a tough game for us. It was a derby which makes it hard in itself against a side playing with plenty of spirit and enthusiasm. I am just disappointed that we didn't get to grip with the game early enough and that really would be it. Having played so well in the last couple of games, having gone into this game with loads of confidence, and wanting to impose ourselves quickly, we didn't do that and that was the disappointment."
birmingham city
Birmingham City Alex McLeish was a happy man after seeing his side serve up a first Barclays Premier League victory for the club's new owners. With Carson Yeung and his board of directors watching from the stands, City roared into a 2-0 lead and then survived a belated fightback from Sunderland to ensure that the new regime's reign could celebrate a win. A delighted McLeish said: "It was more important for me. The whole Birmingham City ethos, the fans, the players, everybody associated with the club, it was very important for us. It was good. I am pleased for the owners, I am pleased for Carson Yeung and (vice-chairman (football)) Sammy (Yu). They are absolutely ecstatic, and so they should be because it was a great home start for them in what was a thoroughly deserved victory."
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers Sam Allardyce launched a scathing attack on his team after their 5-0 defeat at Chelsea - labelling their second-half performance as "pathetic" and claiming his players lacked mental toughness and resilience away from home. Gael Givet's own goal gave the Blues a 1-0 lead at the break but Frank Lampard's brace, one from the penalty spot, and other strikes from Didier Drogba and Michael Essien earned the hosts a resounding victory and sent them back to the top of the Barclays Premier League. "The second half was pathetic," declared Allardyce. "I didn't see that coming. I felt we had set our stall out to frustrate Chelsea as best we could and it worked very well in the first half. We knew it would have been difficult to get something out of the game, but why throw a game plan that is working so well out of the window? That is what I cannot understand. At the moment they are not good enough. Bottom line. Mentally resilient? Not there. Physically challenge the opposition? Not there. If you play football away from home in the Premier League, it doesn't get you results. You need all the elements to go with it and we have not got them away from home."
bolton wanderers
Bolton Wanderers Gary Megson praised the striking instincts of Ivan Klasnic after the Croatian hit a late winner to give Bolton Wanderers a 3-2 victory over Everton. Klasnic came off the bench to give Wanderers their first Barclays Premier League home win of the season when he rifled the ball past Tim Howard with three minutes remaining. It was the 29-year-old's first goal in English football and Megson said he was not surprised to see him get off the mark. "Ivan has just got one thought in his mind when he's in there," Megson said. "He had a shot just before that from about 20 yards when really he should have passed it to Chung-Yong Lee. But you can't criticise forwards for doing that, that is what they are there for and him being that kind of personality was probably a good thing for us because he certainly wasn't looking to pass when the ball dropped to him. It was a fantastic strike."
burnley
Burnley Owen Coyle felt his side could take away many positives despite losing their 100 per cent home record with a 3-1 defeat to Wigan at Turf Moor. After Steven Fletcher's fourth-minute opener, Hugo Rodallega's reply was hardly clinical, tapping into an empty net as goalkeeper Brian Jensen twisted his ankle as he came to collect a cross from Wigan captain Mario Melchiot. Rodallega's second was superb, however, cracking a low right-footed drive in off a post before Emmerson Boyce sidefooted the away side's third. But an upbeat Coyle said: "If you lose any game it's disappointing. We've also lost our unbeaten home record, but there were a lot of pleasing aspects within it. There were big chunks of that game we controlled, we had numerous opportunities after starting the game well and scoring a terrific goal, only to concede a truly bizarre equaliser. We had a 20 minute period after they scored their second where our football was fantastic which resulted in numerous chances. On another day we would have won that game. There's no doubt about that."
Chelsea
Chelsea Carlo Ancelotti watched his side thrash Blackburn 5-0 and then revealed he was returning to Italy to be with his sick father. Ancelotti only arrived back in England on Saturday morning in order to take charge of Chelsea's game against Rovers and labelled their five-goal super show as the "best performance" since he took charge at Stamford Bridge. "It has been difficult time but this is life," said Ancelotti. "I hope my father will be better in the next day. I have a free day and will go back to Italy and return on Monday but I think my father will be better. These are difficult days but after Monday I think he will be better and I can stay here without problems."
everton
Everton Defender Phil Jagielka says being available from between the middle and the end of November is a realistic return date. The former Sheffield United player has been out since April after damaging his cruciate knee ligament in a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City. Jagielka had initially hoped to be back by the end of October or early November, although he now concedes the conclusion of the month is more likely. "I'm feeling great," he said. "It's been a long, hard five-and-a-half months and there's still a way to go. Initially, I'd be hoping to be in back in the first week of November, but more realistic now is mid to late-November. We'll just have to wait and see, but there's an interesting date on 29th November - when it's Liverpool at home."
Fulham
Fulham Following Fulham's 2-2 draw against Manchester City at Eastlands, Roy Hodgson praised the character and resilience of his team after Sunday's match. "We gave another good performance," said Hodgson. "City are getting stronger and stronger and they have good quality players. We have players injured at the moment so it was a sterling effort for the players to earn a point. We battled hard against a good side, defended well throughout, and the character of the team is outstanding. After their goals we got ourselves back on track and started playing how we had for the 60 minutes. It looked as though the game had been settled but full credit to the players. I wouldn't say that it was that clear in terms of chances but over the 97 minutes a draw was a fair result."
Hull City
Hull City Defender Andy Dawson has called on Hull supporters to get fully behind the team in their quest to turn around their season. Fans' frustration was evident as the Tigers laboured to a goalless draw with fellow strugglers Portsmouth on Saturday. Hull made a blistering start to life in the top flight last year - 12 months ago they were briefly joint top - but fans have seen little to enthuse them since, with just three Barclays Premier League wins in 2009. Dawson can understand their feelings but wants them to channel their support positively. The 31-year-old said: "I think the atmosphere around the stadium is maybe getting to everyone. We know we have got to play better and create more chances. We know we have to improve - the players have to give 110 per cent, and everyone's got to get behind us. That's the only way we're going to do it. There were a few boos, and you can feel the frustration sometimes. Obviously we are not playing the flowing football people like to see. But we are trying and we need everybody behind us to get out of the situation we are in."
Liverpool
Liverpool Rafael Benitez has revealed that it was only on the team coach going to Anfield that he decided to use Spanish striker Fernando Torres from the start against Manchester United. Benitez waited until the last moment before deciding Torres, who was struggling with a groin injury, could cope with a battle against the Barclays Premier League champions that could make or break his side's season. After the 2-0 win, Benitez said: "In the morning I had decided that he would be involved, but I needed convincing he could start rather than just be a substitute. I talked with Fernando on the coach, and that was when I was really convinced that he could play. Playing Fernando was a difficult decision. He was not training, the same as Steven Gerrard. But after talking with him we decided it was better to start the game with him."
manchester city
Manchester City Mark Hughes pointed the finger of blame at his defenders after Fulham stormed back from 2-0 down to snatch a point at Eastlands. Hughes' men seemed to be coasting after goals from Joleon Lescott and Martin Petrov but Roy Hodgson's side hit back immediately through Damien Duff and Clint Dempsey. The brace stretched City's run without a clean sheet to seven matches and Hughes admitted his side's inability to cope with opponents' aerial threat is a concern. Hughes said: "We were 2-0 to the good and we should have seen the game out but unfortunately we allowed them back in the game and given them a lift. Then it was how we dealt with balls into the box and a guy in Dempsey who is acknowledged as good in the air - and we haven't dealt with it. We've been caught out a couple of times this season and it seems to be prevalent this year, not just with us but with quite a few of the teams around us. We started really well in terms of our defensive work but we have conceded goals and we are working hard on that. There are always elements of our game we need to focus on."
Manchester United
Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson conceded Liverpool were worthy winners in the 2-0 win over Manchester United. "Liverpool were the better team and I am not taking anything away from them at all," he said. "They deserved to win the game as it was a disappointing performance from us. We were not good enough." Fernando Torres opened the scoring in the 65th minute with his ninth goal of the season and David Ngog sealed the victory in stoppage time. United remain two points adrift of Chelsea at the top of the table and Ferguson insists they will recover. He added: "Part of the challenge is to get over disappointments. Last season we lost at home 4-1 to Liverpool which was a travesty but we went on to win the league."
Portsmouth
Portsmouth Paul Hart found reasons for encouragement despite a disappointing performance from his Portsmouth side in a goalless draw at Hull. The match lived up to its billing as a relegation battle and chances were few and far between. The result leaves both sides in the bottom three with Pompey still bottom on four points. Hart said: "I think that is the worst we have played in a month and we still created chances, and in the second half we should have won it. You know your luck is out when (Aruna) Dindane shoots and it is going in and we even stop that one. We came here to get a point. We have been all over Everton and Spurs in the last month and they couldn't handle us. I am pleased the lads got something from the game. I think we deserved that."
Stoke City
Stoke City Tony Pulis says avoiding relegation was still his main priority despite seeing his Stoke side record an impressive 1-0 triumph at high-flying Tottenham. Glenn Whelan grabbed the only goal of the match four minutes from time when he fired into the top corner after Ricardo Fuller had held the ball up and tricked Benoit Assou-Ekotto. "Ricardo's pulled a genie out of the bag again," said Pulis. "That was terrific and Glenn finished it with aplomb." Pulis, a player under Harry Redknapp at Bournemouth, continued: "It was probably our best result because we were playing against a top, top side. They have all the ammo you need to win games and they will still probably have a great season. For this football club, we have to be in the Premier League for three years before we push on. We are still living in portacabins at the training ground. We're building something that will cost the chairman £7m to £8m. So anywhere in the Premier League will do - and the following season the same. If we have that stability we can push on because it is in such a good catchment area."
sunderland
Sunderland Steve Bruce did not enjoy his first return to St Andrew's two years after his departure. Birmingham got themselves in front on Saturday when defender Liam Ridgewell turned home Sebastian Larsson's 37th-minute free-kick, and doubled their advantage with James McFadden's fine finish three minutes after the restart. But the home fans among a crowd of 21,723 endured a nail-biting finish after defender Scott Dann put through his own goal, with substitute Fraizer Campbell and Darren Bent passing up late opportunities to snatch a point for the visitors. Bruce said: "We didn't really come to the party until the last half hour, that was the disappointing thing. In the last half hour we injected a bit of pace into the game and showed a bit of energy for it, but it was too late. In my opinion, you can't play in the Premier League and have six, seven or eight, in the first hour in particular, not at the races or playing poorly or whatever you want to say. In the Premier League, you can't get away with it. We nearly did with a couple of wonderful chances, but that's not going to gloss over the first hour where we hit nowhere near the heights. Basically, we were poor, it has to be said."
tottenham hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur Captain Ledley King appears set to stay at White Hart Lane beyond the end of this season. The 29-year-old centre-back has a deal until next summer. But it has emerged Spurs have an option to extend his current contract by a year, and it is understood he has no desire to play for another team. King has a chronic knee condition that limits his training and means he cannot play matches in quick succession - but he has managed the injury and played 29 times last season. This season, he has played in six of Spurs' nine Barclays Premier League matches. Manager Harry Redknapp said: "I'd love to keep Ledley here, for sure. He's a big part of this football club - I think he's a special player and a special guy. He's come through this football club, and you need to keep players like that at the club."
West Ham United
West Ham United Gianfranco Zola praised the fighting spirit of his team after the 2-2 draw with Arsenal. The introduction of both Alessandro Diamanti and England Under-21 international Zavon Hines helped inject fresh impetus to the Hammers frontline. Zola said: "It is not a victory, but it sounds like it with the crows, and that is what I was looking for. No matter what, the spirit has to be there all the time. That is something we can not do without. Last week [at Stoke] I saw something, a change and it is very important and I have seen something more. It was very difficult to come back from that situation, but we did it and I am very pleased and proud of them. I am more focused on the point and to give a signal we are there and we are fighting."
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic Roberto Martinez praised the smiling Hugo Rodallega for the clinical finishing that ended Burnley's proud Turf Moor record. Two goals from the Colombian gave the Latics a 3-1 win, their first on the road since the opening day of the season, and he is becoming something of a lucky charm for Martinez's side. Rodallega now has five goals for the season, with all four of the Latics' wins this campaign coming with the 24-year-old on the scoresheet. "His work rate was exceptional, but then he is a clinical finisher and to have that instinct in your play is a massive asset," said a delighted Martinez. "I was pleased because sometimes as a striker you work really hard and you don't get your rewards, but he got his. I felt the performance was exceptional from everyone, and it would be unfair to single anyone out. But when you've a player who has that clinical finish in him, it allows you to convert performances into good results, and Hugo did that."
wolverhampton wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers Mick McCarthy is backing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to score goals at Barclays Premier League level after the striker broke his top-flight duck in the home draw with Aston Villa. Ebanks-Blake was a prolific goalscorer in helping Wolves gain promotion back to the Premier League last season. And he kept his nerve in drilling home a late equaliser from the penalty spot to cancel out Gabriel Agbonlahor's sixth goal of the campaign. McCarthy said: "Sylvan has been desperate to get his first goal. We all believe he can play in the Premier League and score goals in it. Don't anyone under-estimate the taking of that penalty in that atmosphere. He has still got to score it and it was a fairly emphatic finish."
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