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AVB admits Chelsea title dream over

Chelsea were beaten by a fine counter-attacking display from Villa © Getty Images

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Premier League round-up: City joy as Utd & Chelsea lose

After watching his Chelsea side lose 3-1 at home to Aston Villa despite taking the lead, Andre Villas-Boas said on being asked whether his side can still win the Premier League this season: "I don't think so. It is fantasy. Our reality at the moment is a fourth-placed finish and that is not good enough. We have to continue to play for the best possible finish.

"Hopefully 2012 brings us better results. We need to improve on a couple of aspects and we know what they are. Villa punished us well in the final stages of the game."

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish on Stephen Ireland, who impressed at Stamford Bridge days after being pictured on Twitter smoking a pipe: "He must have caught everybody's eye today, he was excellent. We don't expect him to be an enforcer but the Villa fans expect to seen him closing down and his reading of the game was reminiscent of his Man City form and he has to be like that in every game."

Arsene Wenger said after watching his Arsenal side beat QPR 1-0 thanks to a goal from Robin van Persie: "The spirit is good, the attitude is good and we keep going. We were 17th after five games, now we're fourth after 19. It's a fantastic achievement by the players who have come in and gelled well together. We keep going and get stronger."

Van Persie fell one short of equalling Alan Shearer's record for Premier League goals in a calendar year. He said: "I was one short of [Alan] Shearer's record but I have the Arsenal record in my hands. For me, the main thing today was the win. Man U lost, Chelsea lost and Spurs dropped two points, so it's a big day for us. As a sportsman you want to achieve the highest and on a personal note the highest was to score three today. But after the Wolves draw, there was only one thing on my mind - to win today."

Harry Redknapp watched his Spurs side frustrated by Swansea and said: "The way Swansea play, it's difficult. They are a credit to the game the way Brendan Rogers has them organised and playing. He's done a great job. Not many teams will come here and win, so taking a point is acceptable. I'll be surprised if Swansea aren't in the Premier League next year."

A late goal from Simeon Jackson earned Norwich a 1-1 draw against Fulham, and Canaries boss Paul Lambert said: "Fulham are a really well-drilled side and I'm delighted with a point. After getting beat last time it was important to bounce back. In the second half we were relentless, the lads go to the wall every time I ask them. We have our up and downs like everyone, but if we stick together we will be alright. Simeon was a massive player for us last season, he has waited his turn and I am delighted for him."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez after his side picked up a point with a late penalty at Stoke after having a man sent off: "We showed unbelievable character. We defended really well and then, to go down to 10 men and get back to level terms, was the least we deserved."

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