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What They Said: Dalglish bemused by referee

Kenny Dalglish saw his Liverpool side fail to win again © Getty Images

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Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was angered by referee Michael Oliver's decision-making in their 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa. "I have never heard of a penalty not being given by a referee who said the boy was unlucky - what chance have we got?

"He didn't give it (the penalty) but he said to Dirk Kuyt the boy (Eric Lichaj) was unlucky. I can only tell you what they were saying in the dressing room - don't ask me to justify it. When you consider the penalty was refused because the opponent was unlucky, it just doesn't add up.

"Dirk takes it on his chest to go past him, the guy knows he has missed it and he has (spread) his arms and he (Oliver) said he was unlucky - I think Dirk Kuyt is unlucky.

"Even Suarez's booking, the guy has trodden on him and it is a joke. You can imagine the headlines - he got booked for diving and the guy (Stephen Ireland) has actually trodden on him and he is lucky he has not broken his foot. And Hutton was a bit fortunate in the first half."

Villa boss Alex McLeish disagreed with Dalglish over the penalty incidents. "I've not seen them. I know the one in the first half they claimed for, my IT guy gave me a report that it wasn't a penalty," he said. "We are aggrieved about the penalties we have not had this season. It is difficult to know what is deliberate [handball] and what is not, it is a grey area."

Roberto Martinez said Wigan were left with a feeling of "real injustice" after two more decisions cost his side dearly in the 2-1 defeat at Chelsea. Latics boss Martinez insisted both Blues goals should have been ruled out for offside. "If I speak with them, it will be a waste of time. Unfortunately, we have had too many times this season when it's not about matter of opinions, it's about clear calls that have been against us.

"I don't want to go into the debate that it's very easy to referee against little Wigan but, unfortunately, I believe this is the best league in the world and we should get better decisions than that."

Chelsea caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo claimed he had yet to see a replay of either of his side's goals. "But, despite all that, I think that Wigan were really unlucky today not to get something out of this game. Because they played very well, they put a great performance in today."

Bolton boss Owen Coyle felt his side blew an opportunity to give themselves vital breathing space in their relegation battle on Saturday. The Trotters fell well below their recent standards as they slumped to a 3-0 home defeat to Clint Dempsey-inspired Fulham. "It is disappointing because of how we came into the game, and being at home, looking to make it four wins on the bounce. With the way other results went today we had a chance to open up a bit of a gap, so all in all, it is disappointing."

West Brom head coach Roy Hodgson expects to start talks over a new contract after the 3-0 home win over Blackburn virtually guaranteed survival. "Now things are safer I dare say Dan Ashworth (Albion technical director) will make contact with the man I use as an advisor. I dare say he will start discussing what potentially will happen with regards to myself. I'm very comfortable with the situation. It's not a problem for me if it takes until the end of season or is sorted out before then."

Blackburn boss Steve Kean is refusing to give up hope of staying up despite a third successive defeat. "I've always said there will be lots of twists and turns in the battle to stay up, but we've got to look at ourselves in the first half of this game. We were slow, had no intensity or momentum in the game."

Harry Redknapp insisted Spurs will keep their cool in the battle for fourth place, following a 0-0 draw at Sunderland. "You've seen teams get in positions where the pressure gets to them but I think we're quite a laid-back bunch and will just get on with it. I don't think the players get as uptight as I do or the punters do. We're in a great position and I think we're still in the box-seat. It will come down to who plays best."

Martin O'Neill bristled at Redknapp's suggestions Sunderland played too negatively. "The news is coming through that Tottenham are a bit frustrated, but we had to play strong. We don't have the same resources at this stage of our development. It's interesting because last week at White Hart Lane I felt Harry started out in a manner to stop Swansea playing. He would have known it was going to be tough here today."

Norwich manager Paul Lambert likened Jonny Howson to Barcelona maestro Andres Iniesta after watching the Canaries midfielder inspire his new team to a vital draw over Everton at Carrow Road. "It was one of the best midfield performances I've ever seen," he said. "I couldn't pass it like him. At times he passed it like Iniesta. He's an all-rounder and I'm delighted with his contribution."

David Moyes hailed Nikica Jelavic, who netted a brace. "Jelavic scored two really good goals. He's come in and made a big difference to us. We've been needing that type of centre-forward - somebody who can score, lead the line and threaten the opposition and he's certainly been doing that."

Terry Connor is confident he will remain in charge of Wolves until the end of the season despite their relegation fears deepening with a 2-1 defeat at Stoke. Afterwards Connor, who has taken just a point since taking over from Mick McCarthy, denied speculation he could be replaced by the likes of Paul Ince, telling ESPN: "I don't pay any attention to it. Paul Ince hasn't worked at this club for a number of years. I'm in charge and I've got a job to do.

"That's what I've been asked to do by the club. I've not been told any different. It's been a tremendous challenge. It's been an honour and a privilege to manage Wolves. I just wish I could get some results for the fans of this club."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was pleased to get back to winning ways and touted Peter Crouch as a must for England at this summer's European Championship in Ukraine and Poland. "I'd definitely take Peter to the Euros because he's a game changer and I don't think foreign sides like playing against Peter. We found that in Europe," he said.

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