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What They Said: Martinez fumes at 'scandalous' goal

Roberto Martinez was unhappy with Junior Hoilett's goal © PA Photos

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Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was left fuming at Blackburn's second goal as Rovers grabbed a point in a 3-3 draw at the DW Stadium. Junior Hoilett scored in controversial circumstances after it appeared Yakubu failed to touch the ball after faking to take a corner, leaving Morten Gamst Pedersen to pass the set-piece to himself.

"It was a scandalous decision. For me, Yakubu didn't touch the ball and it's a very easy decision to make. It's ridiculous. The hurt was the decision to allow the goal - not our performance."

Yakubu admitted that he didn't think he touched the ball: "I don't know if I touched the ball. I'm not sure. I don't think I touched it, but that's football."

Roberto Mancini admitted Manchester City were "a bit lucky" after they beat Newcastle 3-1.

"Today was a really difficult match because Newcastle is a strong team and they played really well, and also the first match after the international break is always difficult. Before the game, I told the guys that this game would be hard because they are a good team with good players and playing very well and if we wanted to win we would need to play well, and we did.

"We had lots of possession and scored three goals, but we were also a bit lucky. There will be some days like today when teams will close us down but we showed we can change things. The season is long and we will go through some difficult times so getting the win is important."

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew felt his side were unlucky to see their unbeaten start to the season come to an end.

Roberto Mancini saw his side end Newcastle's unbeaten start to the season © PA Photos

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"I felt the breaks didn't go our way. We had two good chances at 0-0 that didn't go in. It just didn't work for us today. In games like that, against opposition like that, you need the breaks to go your way."

Arsenal goalscorer Robin van Persie insists a Premier League top-four finish is a realistic target as they recorded a fifth successive victory with a 2-1 win at Norwich.

"We know Norwich away is a tough game and we've seen this season they've been playing really well at times. We knew it would be a hard task but we played well. I think we missed a few too many chances and made it a bit difficult for ourselves. I should have had at least one more goal. I had four or five chances, I put two in - which is okay but not great, so I have to work on that. Our aim is to finish in the top four. I'm confident we can achieve that."

Norwich manager Paul Lambert admitted Arsenal deserved to take all three points away from Carrow Road.

"Arsenal are a very good side and deserved to win on the day. But it's another learning curve for us as we try to aspire to that level. We were always in the game today which is pleasing. We always think we can win games. We got off to a good start, Steve's goal lifted the crowd but Arsenal came back strongly and you can see they are a very good side."

Everton manager David Moyes admitted securing three points with a 2-1 win against Wolves was far more important than the performance.

"The points were all-important today. The way we went about it and how we got there was relevant but not as relevant as getting the three points and I think we deserved it in the end. I thought we played well in the first half; we got some crosses in and some were good and some weren't and we got the ball in the box and didn't finish it off. Then before we knew it we had given away a penalty and I thought `Here we go again` but all credit to the lads for getting a goal back before half-time. That was really vital. We needed to find a goal from somewhere and we looked like we were huffing and puffing. We ended up winning the game with two set-pieces: a free-kick and a penalty.''

The penalty, conceded when Stephen Ward was adjudged to have pushed Louis Saha, was disputed by Wolves manager Mick McCarthy.

"I thought we put in a good away performance and I am really disappointed and annoyed we didn't get anything out of the game. I think it is a soft penalty, it was given for a two-handed push in the back of Saha but he went down easy. If you were trying to nick his wallet off him he wouldn't go down as easy that's for sure.''

QPR boss Neil Warnock praised the determination of Heidar Helguson after seeing his side battle to a 3-2 win at Stoke.

"I thought Heidar Helguson epitomised us today, he has got a lump the size of a golf ball on his cheekbone from the first minute but he was tremendous for us both in attack and defence."

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