Premier League - Managers: Unhappy Christmas

Eurosport - Sat, 27 Dec 11:43:00 2008

There was no Christmas cheer in the Premier League dugouts, with Arsene Wenger, Phil Brown and Joe Kinnear particularly angry.

2008-2009 Manchester City-Hull City Phil Brown delivers his half-time team talk on the pitch - 0

Manchester City 5-1 Hull City

Mark Hughes: "We needed to get our noses in front, that settled us down almost immediately and from that point onwards some of our attacking play was as good as we have produced this year. Obviously being on the front foot, the quality of our attacking play is there for all to see. But what we haven't been able to do is produce that on a consistent basis. Now we have to make sure we do that from this point onwards."

Phil Brown: "It was unacceptable behaviour, an unacceptable performance from a Phil Brown side and I am bitterly disappointed, to say the least. I thought it was nice and cold and I thought I would keep the boys alive because they looked as if they were dead. Let's not read too much into it but I think 3,500-4,000 travelling fans deserved some kind of explanation for the first-half performance and it was difficult for me to do that from the confines of a changing room. For people to arrange their Christmasses and Boxing Days around a game of football, I think we owe them an apology for the first-half performance."

Wigan Athletic 2-1 Newcastle United

Steve Bruce: "The vultures will be circling [around Emile Heskey] but we have done a good job turning the club around and the last thing we want is to dismantle it. But I have had no offers for any of our players. [On Amr Zaki being disciplined:] Whatever happens in the dressing room I'll keep in-house. His daughter has not been well and he has had a difficult couple of months trying to settle."

Joe Kinnear: "I can't find words to express [referee Mike Dean's] performance. If he gives a penalty for Heskey why couldn't he for Andy Carroll. Heskey has done well, thrown himself and lost his balance. But he's 6ft 3in for Christ's sake. The referees fall for it. At the other end Andy Carroll's got hacked down from behind. See it on TV, see it on the tape, it's a clear penalty. Even Stevie Bruce said the same but we didn't get it. That sums up his performance. In the last 15 minutes I always thought we'd get something out of the game. Then the penalty pops us, but you have to rely on officials to do their job, what they are supposed to do. They want respect in the game but what would you say after today. I'm too sick to say anything else."

Stoke City 0-1 Manchester United

Tony Pulis: "Andy (Wilkinson) is a smashing lad and he's had a great game but the second challenge was a poor challenge, he's given the referee no option. Having said that, I thought his first booking was a poor decision by the ref. But the second one, you have to be thinking as well as playing. We were very much in the ascendancy before the sending-off. We're very disappointed we've come away with nothing."

Sir Alex Ferguson: "At this stage of the season they are all big wins when you get them. They've handled it (the Club World Cup) very well. Sometimes you have to be patient in games like this. It was worth it to get three points. I'm very pleased with that. Stoke are very resilient, determined and gutsy. However there is no question it was a sending off as it was a rash challenge by their player."

Chelsea 2-0 West Brom

Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins: "We are delighted to have Didier (Drogba) back. It is always nice to score early on and it was a classic centre-forward's goal - a powerful header. It is lovely to have Didier fully fit although we took him off in the second half because he got a kick on the thigh. He is an exceptional centre forward and we are thrilled when anybody gets back to full fitness."

Tony Mowbray: "The frustrating thing was the timing of the goals. We did try and frustrate Chelsea but to concede such an elementary goal so early was a blow for us. Going in at half-time 1-0 down would not have been the end of the world but to concede another in the 47th minute was very disappointing."

Portsmouth 1-4 West Ham United

Tony Adams: "It was a strange game. We struggled to accept that it was a dull game and we were struggling to break them down, and we tried to throw everything at it to try and win. We opened up too early and seemed to be desperate for a result. There are some positives to be taken from it but we're getting done on the counter-attack too often, which is worrying."

Gianfranco Zola: "He (Craig Bellamy) scored two very important goals for us and hopefully he'll keep scoring goals for us. There's so much speculation but, as far as I'm concerned, he's our player. It's as simple as that. The club knows I don't want to sell Bellamy and we have had a total understanding right from the start. With all the talking around him, another player might have been affected. But he's a professional and is very good."

Liverpool 3-0 Bolton Wanderers

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee: "Robbie Keane scored twice, that's terrific, but I just like seeing any Liverpool player scoring goals. Keane, Kuyt, Hyypia, I don't mind, just as long as they are Liverpool goals. We don't feel that Robbie has been out of form, despite what people keep saying. He has been working hard, tirelessly for the team, and that is the measure of the lad that he has kept on going."

Gary Megson: "That was a very disappointing result. We had set out to keep things tight early on, and hoped to catch them on the break. But we only troubled them in the opening few minutes. I was concerned by the manner of the goals we conceded. One came straight from one of our own corners, it went from their 'keeper to the back of our net in about six seconds. To concede a goal like that is not acceptable at this level."

Tottenham 0-0 Fulham

Harry Redknapp: "He's (Heurelho Gomes) done well recently and for £10million he should be half decent. When he was as bad as he looked you were thinking 'this can't be right'. He's now showing what we thought he could be - a top goalkeeper - and a lot of credit goes to Tony Parks who has been working hard with. He's instilled confidence and we are starting to see the benefits."

Roy Hodgson: "The players are working very hard in their defensive duties. In the second half we had an opportunity on the counter attack but were profligate with our passing."

Middlesbrough 0-1 Everton

David Moyes: "The boys are doing unbelievably with no strikers and with Tim [Cahill] and [Marouane] Fellaini working together sometimes up front and sometimes in the middle. They really caused a lot of problems today. It's terrific what the players are doing. If we get Victor [Anichebe] and Louis [Saha] back that'll be a start and if we get a couple of additions that will give ourselves a powerful strong squad for the rest of the season."

Gareth Southgate: "I only know one way of working in my life and in my seven years here and that is to take on every challenge and that's the kind of determination we need - there's no easy way out. The focus will come on us now and we'll have a lot to deal with over the next few weeks but I've got to make sure that I take that pressure from the players and I'm more than prepared to do that."

Sunderland 0-0 Blackburn Rovers

Ricky Sbragia: "The longer the game goes on, the one thing you don't want to do is lose the game, that's important. We were nearly caught in the last minute - thank God, he missed the target - but maybe we deserved that bit of luck. I thought overall, we deserved the draw - whether Sam would disagree with that, I'm not sure - but the longer the game went on, the draw looked a safe bet for me."

Sam Allardyce: "To say the least, we are disappointed, all the players and myself, not to have take the three points after a very good second-half performance. We had not only good, solid, well organised defending, but also some good play in possession and creating some really good chances ... We got Jason with an open goal and unfortunately, it just got a bobble on it and hit him on the shin instead of the side of the foot and went wide of the post. "

Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal

Martin O'Neill: "It's very, very easy to say when you've got a late, late equaliser, but even if we were beaten today I would have said the character we've shown was unbelievable. We set out as you can see to try to win the game. We were vibrant, full of energy and showed a lot of great ability. We were knocked back so eventually getting something from the game when we were 2-0 down was not bad."

Arsene Wenger: "It was a committed game. They could have scored in the first half. I feel in the second half they were never really dangerous and yet we conceded two goals in the half where we were never really troubled. [It was frustrating] because I feel we were 99 per cent there. We had too many back. We were not outnumbered, it was a throw-in for them."

Eurosport

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  1. Shut the f--- up wenger, I know its not here but he was­ pi$$ing and whining again about referees and­ assistants, take a leaf out of Phil Browns book - the­ team didnt perform and its down to them and the­ management to do their stuff on or off the pitch no­ matter what the officials do. Ive been watching­ football a long time and officials do get decisions­ wrong but that rarely influences the overall outcome­ of the game, what does influences the game is class and­ commitment. Be a man and get the people in to do this­ even if it means swallowing your pride and signing a­ "superstar" if you cannot do this now you­ will most certainly not be able to do it next season­ with uefa cup football. Bring back Flamini even if it­ costs 15 million, for a start. From a disillusioned­ Arsenal fan

    From mcglynnste, on Sun 28 Dec 3:23AM
  2. I'm an open minded girl from US, I'm interested­ in exotic things, photography, dating and sports...I­ have my photos on --- Tallhub Co m ---, I love tall­ guys!
    Do you love traveling and have some experience?­ Just find me out.

    From Ben G, on Sat 27 Dec­ 5:56PM

    you are really a big fat girl looking for love­ and pies

    From scottdarby, on Sat 27 Dec 7:31PM
  3. If Rooney & Ronaldo should be carded then Gerrad,­ Rieara & Drogba and Co should be sent off on every­ match they play.

    From ugsu, on Sat 27 Dec 5:16PM
  4. Dont know much about Brown but perhaps hes just­ enjoying his time in the prem and why not , all the­ others do so good luck to him ! And i bet hes better up­ front than Carlton Cole !!

    From wesc007, on Sat 27 Dec 4:10PM
  5. Liverpool deserve to be where they are, all the top­ four have been drawing to many games especially­ Liverpool at home. Despite jet lag an a dip in form­ United are the main threat Liverpool as Arsenals­ defensive frailties and Chelsea's inconsistency­ will nullify their challenge. Only United's­ attacking flair will be the main threat but the­ discipline of Rooney and Ronaldo is my main hope for­ non appearences for the remainder of the season as the­ only one's that cannot see it is United themselves.

    From steviecalrow, on Sat 27 Dec 12:32PM
  6. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING­ CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP
    ALL MATCHES ON WEB: ­ PREMIER LEAGUE, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA AND CHAMPIONS­ LEAGUE - UEFA CUP
    ALL THE HIGH-LIGHTS OF PREMIER­ LEAGUE MATCHES

    From , on Sat 27 Dec 12:13PM
  7. I agree with David Turner - Rooney and Ronaldo should­ have been carded for their terrible display - I played­ for 20 years and you don't do those sort of­ actions. but thay seem to get away with it- wonder why­ no comment from Sir Alex. ??

    From MG-Liv., on Sat 27 Dec 11:37AM
  8. D.T I can not agree with you more ,RONALDO ,ROONEY­ deserved matching orders and if the FA don't act on­ that then I say they are in it (BIASED)and let me stop­ here for now

    From allan, on Sat 27 Dec 11:25AM
  9. Guys, what have your comments affected off? you could­ say whatever you want, by the end of the day, it was as­ it has always been - the players who determine the­ point, and for sure the coach also contribute.

    From Programmes E, on Sat 27 Dec 10:29AM
  10. Hull City shouild`nt had a team talk outside they will­ start hear racist chants and the booing.

    From Nath, on Sat 27 Dec 10:27AM
  11. .....and as far as Phil Brown is concerned, I think­ he's done a great job with Hull on the whole. The­ team play entertaining football, with a lot of flair.­ Every now and then someone will give them a good­ hiding, but they're not alone in that. I think he­ shows a lot of respect for the Hull fans in that he­ wants to see them get value for money and in my­ opinion, I think Hull are going to be in the­ Premiership for a few seasons at least.

    From David, on Sat 27 Dec 10:12AM
  12. First off, I'm a United fan and I have to say that­ I thought Rooney and possibly Ronaldo and Neville could­ have been awarded red cards today. On another day, with­ a different referee, they might have been. However,­ they weren't, and against a very tough Stoke side,­ in front of a very Partisan home crowd, United were­ able to get the result. I would also like to say "­ Well done " to Liverpool, whose comprehensive­ beating of Bolton kept them on top of the table this­ weekend. Obviously, I'm not happy they're top­ and we're third, and I hope by seasons end that­ we're the champions, but at the moment, Liverpool­ are playing well, and are worthy of their position.

    From David, on Sat 27 Dec 10:08AM
  13. very cynical comment Tony K, It seemed to work in the­ second half. I personally think its like a breath of­ fresh air.(literally). Good work Phil Brown, good on­ you. I bet the fans appreciated it. ha ha

    From joshua, on Sat 27 Dec 9:54AM
  14. Great bit of attention seeking-headline grabbing from­ the fake tanned self worshipper. He's determined to­ make a name for himself isnt he? Probably hoping a­ bigger club than hull will come in for him

    From Tony K, on Sat 27 Dec 9:01AM
  15. well done phil brown and the fan do deserve to be­ treated better ,, again well done

    From Chris, on Sat 27 Dec 8:58AM
  16. well done pil brown keeep it going pal you will get­ there in the end back in the lower league tea­ hehehehehehheehhehehehehehehehehe

    From mcpluker, on Sat 27 Dec 8:29AM
  17. "...a Phil Brown side..."? (It's actually­ called Hull City). I think this fella is reading his­ own press... perhaps he should have had his squad­ training the day before the match...

    From CutPR, on Sat 27 Dec 8:29AM
  18. THOSE THAT ARE HAPPY ARE HAPPY THOSE THAT ARE SAD ARE­ SAD, SOME BETRAYED THEIR EMOTION IN THERE SPEECH­ OTHER'S DID NOT. BUT I THINK SIR ALEX IS MOST­ WONDERFUL IN HIS COMMENT, HE REMAINS CLEAR HEADED­ KNOWING THAT ANY VICTORY AT THIS POINT IS AN IMPORTANT­ VICTORY. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO PLAY WELL AND STILL­ HAVE A DRAW. YOU WILL ONLY GO HOME WITH ONE THING­ HEADACHE THAT MAY TRANSFORM TO SLEEPLESS NIGHT OVER­ NOTHING. LOOK FORWARD TO TOMORROW OR ON MONDAY FOR­ OTHER RESULT, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, THIS LEAGUE IS TIGHT­ AND ALSO INTERESTING.

    From peace s, on Sat 27 Dec 8:24AM
  19. great talk from Phil Brown. respect.

    From Yea-Joon, on Sat 27 Dec 7:20AM
  20. c'mon let me take you down i really wanna take­ ya' down 1st 1st 1st yeah!!!!!!!!!?

    From hAfIdZ, on Sat 27 Dec 2:59AM
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