• What They Said

What They Said: United not at their best - Ferguson

Javier Hernandez netted twice for Manchester United © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Title race will go down to the wire - Fergie
  
• News: Berbatov agent confirms striker will leave in the summer
  
• News: I needed those goals - Torres
  
• News: Man Utd four clear at top, Newcastle beat Norwich
  
• News: Torres & Downing fire Chelsea & Liverpool to Wembley
  

Despite seeing his side cruise to victory to move four points clear at the top of the Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United were far from their best as they scored five past ten-man Wolves.

"It was OK; I don't think it was anything special," Ferguson said. "I think we have taken our goals well, I think it has to be said, but in terms of the performance, it was OK."

Ferguson paid tribute to Antonio Valencia, who returned to the starting XI for the first time in over a month. The Ecuador international scored United's second before setting up Danny Welbeck on the stroke of half-time.

"Antonio is back in the team his form is fantastic today and he has made one for Danny Welbeck just before half-time which killed the match. It is difficult for them with ten men when you are 3-0 down. They were on us and committed in the second half and they kept plugging away but the 3-0 advantage was too much for them."

United striker Wayne Rooney insisted he did not care he was not on the scoresheet, with fellow strikers Javier Hernandez and Welbeck finding the net in a comprehensive victory.

"You always want to score but we scored five goals today as a team and I'm delighted for Danny and Chicharito to get on the scoresheet. We knew it was an opportunity today to score goals and at half-time we spoke about it and wanted to push on and score more goals and we got an extra two goals in the second half so we are pleased with the result."

Wolves boss Terry Connor admitted the sending off of Ronald Zubar was crucial in the 5-0 defeat.

"It was very tough, a man sent off and that makes it doubly hard against United but for the first 20 minutes I thought we were very much in the game. The opening 20 minutes we were Man United's equals, and second-half 3-0 down and ten men on the pitch I thought they did very well and never stopped trying to take the game to Man United."

Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul labelled his late save from Zak Whitbread one of the best of his career after the Magpies' 1-0 win over Norwich, which came courtesy of a Papiss Demba Cisse winner.

Papiss Demba Cisse netted Newcastle's winner © Getty Images

Enlarge

''That save was up there with my best,'' Krul told Sky Sports. ''It was important for us to win, especially at home. These are the games we have to win. I am really pleased with the three points, especially after [Fabrice Muamba's collapse] Monday night. It was horrible to see something like that and our thoughts are definitely with him. The world is standing still and praying for him to get better.''

Norwich manager Paul Lambert was impressed with the way his side performed, but was disappointed that their one lapse in concentration allowed Cisse to score.

''The performance was excellent, we had chances to score and had a go. This is a tough place to play, we switched off for the goal and have to defend better. We came to a team doing very well with a vibrant crowd and did really well."

Alan Pardew, who saw his Newcastle side move within five points of fourth-place Arsenal, was less enthused by his team's display.

''We were not at our best today. We weren't firing on all cylinders, had eight players injured yesterday and had to grind it out. We have finishers on the pitch and that helps.''

Roberto Di Matteo is hoping Fernando Torres' confidence will grow after the Spaniard finally netted during Chelsea's 5-2 FA Cup quarter-final win over Leicester.

''Every win gives the players confidence. You can see they have more confidence. I thought Fernando had a terrific game, he fought very hard for the team and managed to score a couple of goals too. It's wonderful for him. I have a lot of belief in him and the other players. He works so hard and in life if you do that you will get rewarded for it. I really wanted us to keep a clean sheet. We didn't manage to do that but I'm very pleased with the performance."

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish heaped praise on match-winner Stewart Downing after the England man netted the Reds' winner against Stoke in the day's other quarter-final.

''Stewart's a really good player - a good turn of pace and a great left foot," Dalglish said. "He's done us proud. He's got us in the semi-final with his winning goal so that won't do anybody any harm. If you don't put a decent performance in against Stoke, you don't get a positive result. It's not the best we've passed and moved it, and a great credit goes to Stoke because they've worked really hard."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.