All the reaction from the managers following an eventful second round of games in the Premier League.
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Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
Roy Hodgson: "Today we've beaten one of the very best teams in the league, and maybe shown the pedigree to prove that we do belong here. The last 15-20 minutes there was an element of panic stations, as we had some players who had to go off because of injury or tiredness, and it wasn't easy for the ones who came on. The Arsenal had three or four big lads flying around up front so it was a case of hanging on."
Arsene Wenger: "I believe that Fulham started stronger than us. They had a corner that we didn't defend very well. In the second half it was all Arsenal, if you look at the number of shots on goal. But they were sharp, motivated, and we didn't create enough chances to win, but I think it is harsh to lose the game... When you want to play at the top you have to start the game differently from how we did, with more personality and authority."
Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough
Rafa Benitez: "I was very pleased with the first 15 minutes, but after that we did not play well. Then they scored and we had to throw people forward. Last season we drew far too many games at Anfield. But this time we have sent out a message that in such situations we can win the game. We have winners here."
Gareth Southgate: "That was hard to take. The players are heartbroken in the dressing room. We deserved more, we certainly deserved a point.Their equaliser was a freak, and we should have been able to see out the game even at 1-1. But I have told them that they can leave Anfield with their heads high."
Newcastle 1-0 Bolton
Kevin Keegan (on goalscorer Michael Owen): "The idea is that we do want Michael to stay, all of us. We have just got to get to the point where we have got an agreement, and that's got to be right for both parties. I know he wants to stay, I know he likes it here, really likes it here and I have made it absolutely clear I want him to. It will run its course. I think we are pretty close, but we will find out on Wednesday and we will see."
Gary Megson: "A fair result is neither here nor there, it doesn't matter whether if it was fair or not. We had an opportunity to get something from that game today and I feel win the game, but we didn't take that."
Tottenham 1-2 Sunderland
Juande Ramos (on Dimitar Berbatov): "He didn't play because he wasn't in the right condition, this is what he told me before the game when I spoke to him. So he did not play. We'll have to wait and see, tomorrow [Sunday] we'll speak to the player and then we'll make a decision [on his future]. It's a situation that is very personal, there are players able to play under these circumstances and others whose head is not right. Berbatov is in the latter category. We'll have a meeting with the player and clarify a few points and see if there is a decision to be made."
Roy Keane: "We won't be dancing in the streets in Sunderland for beating Tottenham away from home, we'll have a cup of tea and sandwich as normal. We fancy our chances and we're happy with the progress we're making. Players showed the other side to them. The character of the players is there for everyone to see. We have that and you can criticise in other areas but not character. When you've won the game you say Berbatov's a talented boy but [Darren] Bent is also a good player."
Stoke City 3-2 Aston Villa
Tony Pulis: "We'll enjoy this but we know it will be difficult and we need the supporters to stick with us. We have to make sure that defeats don't get us down and that we don't labour over them. I don't want to single any players out as everyone played a part, and that's what will get us through this season."
Martin O'Neill: "They're very dangerous but we thought we had resolved the problems of coping with them. We had one last [long throw] to deal with and whether it was a bit of luck or what, the ball ended up in our net. One thing you shouldn't do in the last minute of a game, is if you can't win it, then at least don't lose it."
West Brom 1-2 Everton
Tony Mowbray: "Generally we controlled the match for long spells and with lots of possession. That is a positive for us, and I cannot remember them having a shot apart from their two goals. But we were probably guilty of not creating enough real chances despite seeing a lot of the ball."
David Moyes: "They were much better than us in the first half and maybe they were a bit unlucky not to be in front. But the first goal of the game was always going to be the important one and I am glad that we got it. We did not do too much else in the game apart from get our goals but we defended well to stay in it."
Blackburn 1-1 Hull City
Paul Ince: "Players have been away on international duty, and the performance wasn't the best. I had about an hour with my players yesterday, and I think it showed in the second half. We played into Hull's hands. They deserved their point."
Phil Brown: "I'm ecstatic with a point, to tell you the truth. It's a great point on our travels and if we continue with that kind of passion, drive, commitment, togetherness, we'll be okay this year. But it does come down to that little bit of quality in the final third, which you pay a lot of money for." |
發表於 2008-8-24 05:55 PM
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