Arsenal
Arsenal Arsene Wenger was eager to share the praise throughout his team after the 4-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. Andrey Arshavin, who received stitches in a cut on his foot at half-time and celebrated his second-half strike with club doctor Gary O'Driscoll, was the man most obviously in the limelight after opening his account for the Gunners. Nicklas Bendtner, by contrast, may question his finishing after he spurned several presentable chances, but the Frenchman was content to praise his all-round effort. "Arshavin has intelligence, vision and talent and his goal was an example of that," said Wenger. "But I liked Samir Nasri's contribution also. He looks to have more personality now and his influence is growing. Nicklas' overall contribution was also good. His finishing wasn't sharp but he played well. He has power, pace and he understands the game. People forget he is only 20 years old. It is wrong to boo him. But when he left the pitch, the fans clapped him."
Aston Villa
Aston Villa Martin O`Neill has backed his Aston Villa side to bounce back from their recent dip in form and claim a top-four place in the Barclays Premier League. Villa have gone seven matches without a win in all competitions following their 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and are now behind fourth-placed Arsenal on goal difference. They now face two daunting away trips to Liverpool and Manchester United, but O`Neill is confident they can respond. "It was a disappointing result (against Spurs) because it was a game we felt we could win but I still feel it is possible to reach our objectives," said the Villa manager. "In November we lost two games in six days and then went on a 13-match unbeaten run. We probably have to get something from the next two games which will be pretty difficult but I believe it is possible that we can still fight back and the players feel that."
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers Sam Allardyce was left disappointed by the 4-0 defeat at Arsenal. Nevertheless, the former Bolton and Newcastle United manager remains upbeat about his side's chances of beating the drop. "It chops and changes by the week," he said. "It's what other people haven't done which is most important for us, because we could have been back in the bottom three had results gone differently. We can't control that obviously but they've gone in our favour and we still have only lost three in 12, so we're on the up. If you only lose to the big boys, that's not so bad. What's important is that you don't lose to the other teams who are down there with you."
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers Defender Gary Cahill admitted there could be no excuses for the team's performance in the 3-1 defeat at home to Fulham which increased relegation worries at the Reebok Stadium. Gary Megson's side were clear favourites after three successive home wins, in stark contrast to the Cottagers who had scored just three goals on the road in a season-long winless run away from home. But they never got up to speed and Cahill admitted too many players failed to perform. He said: "We went into the game on the back of some good form at home so it was not a good performance to say the least. We were lucky to come in 1-1 at half-time and I felt we couldn't go out in the second half and play as badly as we did, it was a very sloppy performance. It wasn't much of a spectacle, to say it was the Premier League it was a terrible game."
Chelsea
Chelsea Captain John Terry reaffirmed his commitment to the club after the Blues' victory over potential suitors Manchester City - saying he wanted to see out his career at Stamford Bridge. Terry, who was linked with a big-money move to Eastlands during the January transfer window, was quick to respond to questions about his future after the 1-0 win, which takes Guus Hiddink's side back up to second place in the Barclays Premier League. He said: "I can't ever see myself leaving Chelsea Football Club - I love this club. I've been here since the age of 14 and I never want to leave. I've done a statement because there was some speculation a few months ago and that's what I'm putting in it - I never want to leave Chelsea Football Club, simple as that."
Everton
Everton Manager David Moyes feels his current squad is the best he has had in his seven years at Goodison Park. The Toffees almost assured of European qualification this season and awaiting an FA Cup semi-final. Moyes said: "We are still going to chase the teams above us; we are going to keep those below away from us and we are going to try to reach a cup final. This is the best squad I have had at Everton, and it is being underlined by the effort the players are putting in. The quality we have is excellent - if not the quantity of players in the squad. Nevertheless, we are still getting good results."
Fulham
Fulham Roy Hodgson saluted a professional performance from his side following the 3-1 win at Bolton Wanderers. Andrew Johnson, Simon Davies and Diomansy Kamara secured the Cottagers' first away victory since the final day of last season. "I'm happy with the result and the performance, I thought we played very well," said Hodgson, whose team are now eight points clear of the relegation zone. "I've been a little bit unhappy with the last two results, although not the last two performances. When we conceded a goal in injury time I was rather concerned the players would not be able to pick themselves up and give the same performance in the second half which had given us the lead in the first, but luckily they did."
Hull City
Hull City Manager Phil Brown felt his side had earned a good point from the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United - even though they remain far from safe. The Tigers lie just four points above the bottom three with nine matches remaining. Brown said: "It was a scrappy affair, not a great spectacle in terms of football but there was probably a lot of nervous tension about, from both sides. I think we came out of the traps and approached the game in the right manner and got our noses in front with a great goal. But then that lapse of concentration in the first half and we allowed a poor goal from our point of view. In the second half I think Newcastle huffed and puffed and didn't trouble the goalkeeper. You can't say they deserved to win but the only way I can say we deserved to win was if Bernard Mendy had composed himself when he went through two on one."
liverpool
Liverpool Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez stood by his recent comments about Sir Alex Ferguson following his side's 4-1 win at Manchester United. Benitez's outburst, now known as 'Rafa's rant', was widely interpreted as a moment of folly. But he insisted: "What I said were facts. I did not say anything that wasn't true. Sir Alex Ferguson is a great manager and I have a lot of respect for him. But I have to defend my club."
Manchester City
Manchester City Manager Mark Hughes accepts John Terry is unlikely to be heading to Eastlands any time soon. The Chelsea skipper was strongly linked with the Blues during the January transfer window, with Hughes ready to tempt the centre-half with a lucrative contract. However, the England international, who has spent his entire career at Stamford Bridge, has made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Chelsea. That stance has been reiterated in recent weeks, after speculation resurfaced, and Hughes has been forced to admit defeat in his pursuit of the talented 28-year-old. Hughes said: "Any manager would be interested in John Terry but I can't see him coming on the market any time soon. John is an outstanding player, someone everyone in football has a great admiration for. He's a great guy and commands respect because of his attitude, application and the way he leads his team."
Manchester United
Manchester United Rio Ferdinand admits the 4-1 hammering Manchester United took at the hands of title rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford has given the world champions a very rude awakening. After carrying all before them since their last defeat at Arsenal in November, collecting the Club World Cup and Carling Cup, as well as establishing a handsome lead in the Barclays Premier League, reaching the last four of the FA Cup and last eight in Europe, United suffered their biggest home defeat by the Merseysiders since 1936. It has cut United's advantage to four points, although they do still have a match in hand, and given them a few problems to address ahead of next weekend's trip to Fulham, when Nemanja Vidic will be suspended because of his red card. Ferdinand said: "We have got a rude awakening. None of us has been taking anything for granted but subconsciously there may have been complacency. Losing any game is disappointing but losing to a team who we have such a big rivalry with is even worse. And the scoreline takes it beyond that. It is very hard to take."
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough Gareth Southgate accused the Middlesbrough fans of being "disrespectful" after they targeted his players during the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth. Southgate's side had been heading for defeat after Peter Crouch's first-half volley until Marlon King's injury-time equaliser secured a possible lifeline for Boro in their fight against relegation. Boro fans had booed several players and started chanting "We've only got one player" - in reference to Turkish striker Tuncay, who had an impressive match. But Southgate was unhappy with the reaction of the fans and said: "It's one of those situations where I am going to get slaughtered whatever I say, so I'm going to say what I believe. Some of the chants were disrespectful to the rest of the team. The crowd are right to laud Tuncay's efforts but we will win and lose as a team. The other lads may not have been as eye-catching but they were making important saves, blocks and interceptions. It's hurtful for a lot of the other players. We will survive as a club and as a town by everyone pulling together."
Newcastle United
Newcastle United Caretaker manager Chris Hughton admits his side's run-in will be tough but insists they can handle the pressure. The Magpies remain in relegation trouble and still have to face Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa before the end of the season. "It is going to be a tough run-in towards the end of the season but we have been able to go up a place," said Hughton after the 1-1 draw at Hull City. "But the teams around us have tough games as well. Ours has been highlighted a bit more because of our next two games. We have got to make sure we win a better percentage of games than the others do."
Portsmouth
Portsmouth Paul Hart was full of praise for Peter Crouch after the England striker's goal against Middlesbrough. Crouch's volley was his first goal in 10 matches, and although Boro hit back through Marlon King to earn a 1-1 draw, Hart revealed the frontman had been inspirational since he took over as manager. Hart said: "I think this could be very important for Peter. I have been delighted with his performances, he's thoroughly deserved that goal and he took it brilliantly."
Stoke City
Stoke City Manager Tony Pulis maintained his side's destiny was in their own hands despite the Potters dropping into the bottom three of the Barclays Premier League following a 3-1 defeat at Everton. Jo, the Brazilian striker, and defender Joleon Lescott had given Everton a comfortable half-time lead, but after Ryan Shawcross had pulled one back after the break, Stoke battled hard for a point before Marouane Fellaini got Everton's third in injury-time. Pulis said: "It was disappointing, we didn't throw any punches until the second half, we did not take the game to them and looked laboured, that's the nicest way to put it. But after the break we showed a lot more spirit, the goal helped and we made them nervous. We had chances and could have scored again. But we cannot wait until we are 2-0 down every game before we start to fight back. We know we are now in the bottom three, but survival is in our own hands. If we can win an away game somewhere, it will take a lot of pressure off everyone. I believe we have to win one away from home minimum."
Sunderland
Sunderland Manager Ricky Sbragia admitted the fans had a good reason to voice their displeasure after his side were booed off against Wigan Athletic. Grant Leadbitter was on target for the hosts but goals from Charles N'Zogbia and Ben Watson secured a 2-1 win for Steve Bruce's men. Sbragia said: "They are entitled to boo. They pay good money and we haven't delivered for them. They are entitled to it, I don't have any problem with that, they can vent their anger. On the day, we have got to deliver for them and get results, and we didn't do that."
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur Manager Harry Redknapp hailed the performance of centre back pairing Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King after Tottenham's 2-1 win at Aston Villa. He said: "Ledley has come back into the side and, with Jonathan, forms one of the best pairings in the country. You can talk about Ferdinand and Vidic but these two are also up there. They are fantastic central defenders. They have got bags of pace, bags of ability and play a key part for us."
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion Tony Mowbray insists West Brom are "only a couple of players away" from being a top 10 side in the Barclays Premier League despite their current precarious position. Mowbray said: "Can we match teams in the Premier League? They can't beat us playing football but they can do the other side of the game. We need some experienced men in our team who know the Premier League, who have been there, seen it, felt it, worn the shirt and know what it takes. We're a couple of players away from being a decent team. We are `so near' and I like the team. But we are judged on results. I believe we are close to being a team that could be in the top 10 but we have flaws that continue to let the team down like some of the defending recently. Those are the areas that need addressing."
West Ham United
West Ham United West Ham United and Sheffield United have reached an out-of-court settlement over the Carlos Tevez affair. In a joint statement, the agreement was described as "satisfactory settlement for compensation" but the figure paid by the Hammers was not confirmed. It means the independent tribunal chaired by Lord Griffiths to rule on the controversy will not reconvene on Monday. The statement from Blades chairman Kevin McCabe and West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "Both clubs are pleased to announce that a satisfactory settlement for compensation has been reached which brings the dispute between Sheffield United and West Ham to an end. The tribunal will not be resuming."
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic Steve Bruce saluted his January signings after Charles N'Zogbia and Ben Watson teamed up to fire Sunderland into relegation trouble. Former Newcastle midfielder N'Zogbia applied the finishing touch with a winner in first-half injury-time after Watson had opened the scoring at the Stadium of Light with just 12 minutes gone. Bruce said: "I don't think anyone has ever questioned Charles' ability. He is 22 years of age - I remember him scoring a wonder goal here a couple of years ago for Newcastle. I never thought I would have the chance of signing him, but there you go, that's how football works. He has great ability. To go the length of the pitch in the Premier League is terrific. It was a great goal. To come here and the way we have played delighted me, and the two new boys. It can only do them the world of good."
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