• What They Said

What They Said: Wenger laments 'disappointing' Arsenal

ESPN staff
March 31, 2012
Arsene Wenger vents his frustration © PA Photos
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had few excuses for his side's 2-1 defeat by QPR: "It is a disappointing performance. They defended well and I felt we played football without hurting them and we made defensive mistakes that we could not afford to on top of that. They had a gameplan where they left us with the ball and it is more suited to playing against the bigger teams. I felt that if you had the choice you want a better pitch but I don't think it explains why we were beaten in too many domains."

QPR boss Mark Hughes was delighted with yet another victory against one of the league's bigger clubs, which kept alive their bid to avoid relegation: "We were fantastic today. It was really important to bounce back from our defeat at Sunderland where we didn't do ourselves justice and we were determined to get something out of this. We upset the applecart against Liverpool, but I think this performance was even better if anything. We restricted them to few chances and the players should take the credit. I can give them a gameplan, but they are the ones that have to pull the shirt on and go out and execute it. It was about restricting Arsenal and restricting their chances to do well."

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo feared a five-minute blip had cost his men in their hard-fought 4-2 win at Aston Villa, which puts the Blues two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, who meet Swansea on Sunday: "I thought it was an exciting game, we controlled it very well apart from five minutes. I credit the opposition with playing well. We conceded from a long throw but we thoroughly deserved to win. We were dominating the game, controlling it and a third goal could've killed it off earlier but credit to Villa. Historically it has proven a difficult place to come for us. We're delighted to score four goals and apart from five minutes we were a good team."

Aston Villa offered words of support for club captain Stiliyan Petrov, who was diagnosed with acute leukaemia this week: "The players responded well, Stan came in to see us before the game, we gave him a hug, and said it'd be nice to win it for Stan. We gave everything, it's a shame we're not talking about a win as we felt we had Chelsea on the ropes. It was quite an emotional moment, a show of strength and support from the Villa fans. Stunned is the word, you don't imagine something like that can happen to one of your fit players. We've got to support Stan, he's started his recovery, and I'm sure he can fight it and beat it."

A gracious Roberto Mancini confessed Manchester City did not deserve anything more than the point they took out of their 3-3 draw with Sunderland: "I think it is the correct result, a draw, but we didn't do a good performance. I am happy only for the last 10 minutes, for the other 80 minutes I am unhappy because we didn't play very well. I don't know why. In the first half we were flat and in a game like this, that is very important for us, we can't be flat in the first half."

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill was unimpressed with the award of a penalty for City's first goal, given against Craig Gardner for a foul on Edin Dzeko: "I thought initially the referee was going to book their player for diving - but I should have known better. Referees have a really difficult job but I spoke to the referee in the tunnel at the end, and I assume he must have seen it since, and he said it was definitely a penalty. That confused me a bit. I didn't think it was and the replays will show that.''

Everton manager David Moyes admits his team have exceeded his expectations in lifting themselves to seventh place in the Premier League, after beating West Brom 2-0: "If you said to me at the start of the season we would be in seventh with seven games to go I don't think I would have believed you,'' said the Scot. "I am just delighted. If you said to me we would be as close to Liverpool as we were I wouldn't have believed you. We are in a stronger position than I felt we would be but the difference has been the boys coming in January - Landon Donovan, Darron Gibson, Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar. We have never started the season well but if you finish well it leaves everyone with a good taste in their mouth."

Everton are now above Liverpool © PA Photos
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West Brom boss Roy Hodgson believes his team still have work to do before they can plan for another season in the Premier League: "I think we need about four more points and we've got seven games to get them," Hodgson said. "When you lose it gives you a sinking feeling and I now have to get the players up for the next game against Blackburn.''

Hodgson played down the fall-out between Ben Foster and Peter Odemwingie at a corner late in the game. "Peter needs to question himself. He wasn't doing the job he was supposed to do,'' said the Baggies boss. "He knew about the short corner, we made it clear before the game, and he didn't do it and didn't like the fact he was told about it. In his defence he worked hard in the game and knowing we were staring at a defeat so late in the game sometimes people react. It is a storm in a teacup and hasn't had any repercussions in the dressing room, which is most important.''

Wolves manager Terry Connor admitted the on-field bust-up between team-mates Roger Johnson and Wayne Hennessey during the 3-2 home defeat by relegation rivals Bolton was far from ideal: "I don't like altercations in front of everyone. But it just shows you the passion and the desire to get a result. We'll sort it out on Monday. At half-time they came in and shook hands and got on with it. We're shattered. The players gave everything but just came up short. But the situation is still retrievable."

Bolton manager Owen Coyle reserved praise for Martin Petrov, who scored one and made one during his side's comeback victory over Wolves: "It was a big ask for Martin to play. Stiliyan Petrov is a very close friend and he was very emotional, but he wanted to play. We wish Stiliyan well in his battle ahead. That's three league wins on the bounce for us but I still believe the battle at the bottom is going to go to the wire."

A delighted Wigan boss Roberto Martinez praised his side after their 2-0 win over Stoke: "It's very pleasing because I feel it was the perfect performance from us. We looked a real well organised side and we limited Stoke to very little chances. We showed maturity, know-how and composure and that is extremely pleasing. This group of players deserved that victory and we have given ourselves a great chance."

Tony Pulis felt for the Stoke fans after watching his side lose to Wigan: "The better team won, I can't be too severe or critical of the players this season, but today we weren't at it. The players get paid to perform and we had 2,000 fans here today who paid good money and they didn't play well enough."

Martin Jol revealed Pavel Pogrebnyak suffered a twisted ankle during Fulham's 2-1 win against Norwich: "Pavel went off with something to do with his former injury,'' Jol said. "He twisted his ankle again so for us it is vital for us that he is back in the next couple of games. I think in the next one or two days we will find out more. He made a tackle on the touchline and he hurt himself. Pavel is a number nine and the only other player I have there is a very young player in [Marcello] Trotta. I had to make a decision and put [Clint] Dempsey up front and give Alex [Kacaniklic] his debut. I think he did well but it would have helped if he had scored the third one [when he hit the bar four minutes into the second half].''

Norwich manager Paul Lambert felt hard done by but also proud of his side's efforts: "We should have got something,'' he said. "We were immense in that second half. You can't give teams a two-goal head-start. It is a mountain to climb from there but the response was absolutely terrific. We went about it and tried to retrieve the game and the second half I thought the lads were excellent."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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