Premier League - Managers: Toon to fine Barton

Eurosport - Sun, 03 May 19:21:00 2009

Reaction from the weekend's Premier League games, with Alan Shearer promising to take action against Newcastle bad boy Joey Barton.

2008-2009 Premier League Newcastle United Joey Barton - 0

Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle

Rafael Benitez: "Manchester United are a good team with good players, and they will need to make two big mistakes to let us in. But I still believe they can be caught and they will make mistakes. All we can do is to continue to win our matches and see how they handle pressure. We must win all our games to see how that effects them at the top. Fernando (Torres) has suffered a slight hamstring problem. He was nearly ready for this one but certainly would not have started. That would have been too big a risk. And then to put him on the bench and maybe have him not warmed up enough to come on would also have been a risk."

Alan Shearer on Barton's red card: "We will do what we have to do (regarding a fine). He deserved to be sent off, he has let himself and the club down. He was not unlucky, the referee was spot-on. There was no need for him to do that in such a position. We were lucky to keep it down to three, how many times did they hit the bar? I was disappointed with the manner of the goals. The first was offside and the second and third were from set-pieces. If you give players things to do at set-pieces and they do not pick up their man, it is very disappointing."

Everton 0-2 Sunderland

Ricky Sbragia: "After the first goal I felt Everton stepped up their game and we couldn't live with it. I would have loved for us to get the points today but now we'll have to get them at Bolton. They got the first goal and, from then on, I thought we were a bit fragile. We never got hold of it. We huffed and puffed. I thought we were careless and there was not enough energy. We went 1-0 down and just seemed to accept it."

David Moyes: "The big game at the end of month is undoubtedly on the players' mind but they got a result today and we have given ourselves a real chance of making fifth. We are trying to keep focused on the Premier League but it is very difficult when you have a final coming up against Chelsea not to be thinking about it in some way."

SATURDAY

Middlesbrough 0-2 Manchester United

Gareth Southgate: "We have to go to Newcastle now and deal with the atmosphere there. For us in some respects, it is possibly the last throw of the dice because we need the momentum of a win there to carry into the last couple of games. The reality is, as I have said for a number of weeks, that we have to go to Newcastle and win."

Alex Ferguson: "It's a big step forward. I just keep saying that if you whittle the games away, eventually there are no games left, and hopefully we will still be at the top of the table when we get to that point. It was a very good performance. They all worked their socks off and once we got a hold of the ball, we always looked a danger."

Chelsea 3-1 Fulham

Guus Hiddink: "We needed the points for today, but we are always trying to look ahead as well, especially with such a big game coming up. We wanted to give Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba the chance to play up front together, to increase our options in the future. If we ever need another gear in another game we must be able to adjust, to play differently."

Roy Hodgson: "We made a bad start and then went 2-1 down after our defender slipped, so you're trying very hard not to concede another goal after that. Unfortunately they caught us on the break with a third and from then on you are just trying to avoid embarrassment. We thought we could come here and get a result, but we were nowhere near our best today and we paid the price."

Manchester City 3-1 Blackburn Rovers

Mark Hughes: "Robinho is an easy target. He is a high-profile player with a large price tag that people will highlight. He has been disappointing on occasion this season, he will admit that himself. But he is not the only one in that position. He is an outstanding talent and we are delighted he is here and if we can bring in more players of a similar standard that will enable us to grow as a club."

Sam Allardyce: "We need to control our own destiny by winning, not rushing to the TV hoping the other teams have slipped up, as we have done.We want to make sure we get three points next week. If we do that it will be in the bag and we won't have to rely on what other people do."

Portsmouth 0-3 Arsenal

Paul Hart: "My players were saying it (the second goal) was not a penalty and, having seen it again, I agree with them. It certainly made life more difficult for us. We had a great chance before Arsenal scored, and another at 1-0. We came out fighting in the second half, created gilt-edged chances and were making a fist of it before the third goal. We were in there punching and if we had taken those chances, we would have made it interesting."

Arsene Wenger: "I wanted to give a breather to some of the players. We dominated the first half and created plenty of chances through our movement and technical quality. We were sharp, composed and mobile with a great attitude. I have no doubts about the younger players because I see them every day and what we work on, you could see that on the pitch today. Some of those who played could play again on Tuesday (against Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final second leg)."

Stoke City 0-1 West Ham

Tony Pulis: "I haven't seen Ricardo (Fuller)'s effort again but I am told the goalkeeper dropped the ball. It was not in his hands. We are disappointed with the result. But that is the nature of this league. We are playing against good sides and good players. West Ham had a really good spell in the first half and got their goal, although our goalkeeper was not really tested that much."

Gianfranco Zola: "We have never lost focus that we could get into Europe and it remains a possibility. We will try hard until the end. I know the players are very determined to achieve this. I know some teams do not want Europe because of the number of games there are. But we have so many young players that to be in Europe would be a big thing for them."

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 West Brom

Harry Redknapp: "It was a tight game, no different to what I expected. They keep the ball very well but they give goals away. Box to box they pass as good as anyone, it's just the other two ends of the pitch for them. I don't know Tony (Mowbray)'s players. I think he's done a great job picking up players. They are close to being half decent - I like the way they play football."

Tony Mowbray: "It was pretty average. Par for us away from home. We've been good recently without rewards. I wouldn't say we deserved to win but maybe we didn't deserve to lose. You can feel their quality, their game knowledge is better than ours. We try to make up with endeavour and playing football in the manner we think is right. But it rankles with me that every week I'm told we're playing good football but we can't score goals."

Wigan Athletic 0-0 Bolton Wanderers

Steve Bruce: "We should have been out of sight in the first half. The first 10 minutes or so we have had three or four opportunities and haven't taken them. If you look at our Achilles heel it is that statistic that is the alarming one. I think there is only Middlesbrough who have scored fewer goals than us and Middlesbrough are in the bottom three."

Gary Megson: "I felt the game could have got away from us in the first 45, although I've seen the chance (Mathew) Taylor put away and, although you'd have to have eyes like a hawk, he was onside. He was level but it was difficult without the technology we are always talking about. Second half I thought we were the strongest team but we didn't manage to finish."

Eurosport

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  1. What made anyone think that Alan Shearer was ever going­ to keep NU in the premiership.
    Obviously he's­ judgement is suspect to even think he had a chance of­ doing it.
    He has taken advantage of a no lose­ situation, a hero if he manages to do it and blame Joey­ Barton if he does'nt, even though this match was­ lost before half time.
    Its about time people realised­ Shearer is a smug and arrogant, leaving Michael Owen­ out to show whose the boss.
    The gloss will soon­ deminish on his managerial career once NU are condemned­ to the championship and then the BBC will be kissing­ his backside to get him back as an over rated pundit on­ MOD, not anywhere near the class of AH and ML.

    From John, on Mon 4 May 5:03PM

  2. Hello my footie friends, it marnio here from the­ peru.
    For many many months i feel the sorry for the­ newcastle fans.
    first their hero the mr keegan and his­ bestest friend mr macerdermot leave the club to find a­ better team, then they maker mr sheerer the manager and­ he not make things the better he make them the­ worst.
    the georgies very passionate about their­ football but the unfortunately the newcastle team very­ rubbish team.
    they must go back to the basics. the­ manager must tell the players the the round thing with­ the air in that they kick about is called THE BALL. the­ things made of the wood with the nets on is called THE­ GOALS and the purpose of the game is to put the round­ thing with the air into the wooden things with the nets­ on.
    newcastle players and the manager mr sheerer must­ then be given the long rest in the retirement home.­ they not the good enough for the premiership football.­ they the rubbish side.

    From marnio from peru, on Mon 4 May 12:09PM

  3. THE SAD THING ABOUT JOEY BARTON SITUATION IS THERE WILL­ BE NO SHORT OF OTHER PREMIERSHIP MANAGERS WHO WILL JUMP­ AT THE CHANCE OF SIGNING HIM ,ESPECIALLY THE ENGLISH­ MANAGERS SUCH AS ALLARDYCE , GARY MEGSON AND REDNAPP­ WHO DELUDE THEMSELVES BY THINKING THEY CAN CHANGE HIM.

    From valach, on Mon 4 May 11:18AM

  4. i would like to stick my two fingers up to all u fans­ out there who were saying that spurs would defo get­ relegated, not so smug now are ya!! not too bad for a­ team that only had two points from 9 games, cmon u­ spurs finish the season on a high!!!

    From samanthamccarthy, on Mon 4 May 11:04AM

  5. As a SUNDERLAND fan i must thank NEWCASTLE and THE BORO­ for helping SUNDERLAND stay in the premiership for next­ season,the down side is there will not be any derby­ games for SUNDERLAND.

    From powermouse, on Mon 4 May 10:28AM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    give barton a break for once if u's keep nip pickin­ he gonna keep makin mistakes give him a chance

    From Missy_L, on Mon 4 May 10:20AM

  7. As usual as the season draws to a close the table never­ lies. We see both Boro' & N U lurking with WBA­ just above the trapdoor to the Championship. At least­ the Baggies have been trying to play some football­ where the other two have been clueless in their­ attempts to avoid the inevitable! The Baggies did screw­ up by allowing Phillips to go as he's proved by­ firing the Blues back into the Bigtime. So as the­ premier big wigs sort out the 'wheat from the­ chaff' we will have an interesting line up to­ contest the 'Championship' next season. But­ just take note that the Foxes are back and have­ unfinished business as we continue our march onto the­ 'Promised land'. 'True Blue59'

    From Jethrotull, on Mon 4 May 9:45AM

  8. FINE EM? FINE EM? FACKUN KILL EM.

    From donneysbeck, on Mon 4 May 9:27AM

  9. muckingfuddler why not put your real name down I would­ like to know where you come from you perfect little­ s***

    From willhay, on Mon 4 May 7:48AM

  10. david w, your job must be kraaap!

    From Half A Brain, on Mon 4 May 5:04AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Barton deserves another chance. It will be in the­ championship but still, it is a good chance

    From Half A Brain, on Mon 4 May 5:01AM

  12. You guys seriously do not have a clue!!!
    Southgate is­ @#$% now yes!!
    The guys is being slaughtered for­ spending 12.5 million on a apparently carp­ player!!
    Alves was toted by all pundits as the next big­ thing last year. He came with a huge rep and was a big­ signing for this little club.
    Lets remind you, you are­ boro, not Man U!!!!!!!
    You are a championship club like­ my team the wolves who will duely head straight back­ down next year.
    If you add up the price of the boro­ team its about quarter even wigan / b-burn/ westham.
    To­ have been up this long is a miricle.
    They have bought­ through some good kids too.
    Southgate is not to blame,­ your chairman def isnt to blame. Its just a little­ club, and without huge huge huge investment always will­ be.
    Infact due to where your are in the country you are­ never going to have the fan base.
    yes im sure il hear­ the "we could get 60000 in everyweek claims"­ and that maybe, but Man U / arsenal and liverpools­ could get that many fans from japan alone in!
    Sometimes­ fans forget how well there teams have done to do what­ they have.
    Good luck boro for next year and we will be­ back with you the year after.

    From david w, on Mon 4 May 3:12AM

  13. Newcastles problems are simple
    KEVIN (up my own arse)­ Keegan!!!

    He threw his teddys out the pram because he­ was told by his boss what to do (come work with me mate­ that happens 10x a day).
    That unsettled everyone at the­ club. Ashley spent money at the start of the season so­ dont moan about him.
    Collocini, is an argy­ international cant be that bad. When you get to a club­ and it was in total turmoil after keegan behaved like a­ little boy, you tend not to settle to well.
    You­ geordies are the nicest people in the uk easily, yet­ you havent seen what this idiot did to you.
    Ashley has­ made mistakes since yes, but the guy is under massive­ pressure from you, because he told his employee what to­ do and he was going to have a new boss!!!!!
    Keegan has­ always done things like this, and when he doesnt have a­ fortune to spend he cant manage a team for toffee­ (england for example)
    He has been outwtted throughout­ his managerial carreer, and is not good enough.
    You­ may think back to the andy cole era, when Keegan was at­ his best???
    He had a bottomless pit to buy with!
    He is­ the fault not ashley / wise / kinnear / shearer or­ allerdyce.
    Keegan Keegan Keegan!!!!!!!
    He is a total­ disgrace

    From david w, on Mon 4 May 2:56AM

  14. Barton is a thug ,always has been always will be.@#$%.

    From JOHN, on Sun 3 May 11:51PM

  15. Get rid of Barton! He looks like he should be in Oasis­ or something, got the Hair-do, the attitude and general­ thugery...I'll fight ye for a pound.

    From AdrianP, on Sun 3 May 11:38PM

  16. Why say NU fans don't deserve this? In my view they­ are the worst fans in the Premier League. They are in­ a relegation fight, need to win, 0-0 with Portsmouth­ and were walking out with twenty minutes to play. ­ Pathetic! They whine all the time about being a­ massive club and deserve to be winning trophys. I feel­ sorry for Ashley who has poured in money, trusted his­ management teams and not interfered. For this he is­ villified by the so called fans. If they want to win­ something they can start with trying to win the­ Championship next season.

    From Kevin, on Sun 3 May 11:21PM

  17. It is not just Barton though sorry to say. Alan Shearer­ has been clever in just taking the job until the end of­ the season. If they stay up he will be a hero and­ offered it full time, if they go down he can go back to­ TV. He has also been clever in not picking Owen­ ,keeping him for the final push as this game today was­ well out of reach. The worrying thing as well is that­ he is persevering with Smith who was totally lost today­ and is another thug who might do something silly. Joey­ Barton ought to be in jail and will no doubt attack­ someone else in due course as he is just a moron with­ no brain.

    From taff, on Sun 3 May 10:49PM

  18. David S
    First up you state, 'it is not just­­ Southgates fault, we are over 80 million pounds in­ debt­ so can not buy our way out of trouble.' Then­ you state, 'We wasted 12.5 million on Alves­­ .'
    Correct me if i'm wrong but £12.5 million­ smacks of attempting to buy one's way out of­ trouble to me; and who was the wise guy who splashed­ this 'cash' on such a bad player, yup Southgate­ - so really, it IS southgate's fault!!!!

    From cameron w, on Sun 3 May 10:40PM

  19. "Learn English at least half of you"
    The­ English language includes grammar, you may want to­ learn about this before you comment on other peoples­ posts, you pleb.

    From andyajnicol, on Sun 3 May 10:05PM

  20. Joey barton worjked in a jam factory once and one day­ he squashed a strawberry on a colleagues shirt
    He is­ real trouble that one

    From Sean, on Sun 3 May 10:04PM
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