Arsene Wenger believes Chelsea's defeat at Wigan Athletic goes to show how unpredictable the Barclays Premier League will be this season. Arsenal defeated the Latics 4-0 last weekend, but Carlo Ancelotti's Blues lost 3-1 at the DW Stadium on Saturday. According to Wenger, it's a result that proves this season will be an interesting one. "It shows you it's unpredictable this season and that everybody can beat everybody else," said the Arsenal manager. "It makes the championship interesting because Wigan created a big surprise on Saturday because we had beaten them quite well the week before."n Villa full-back Stephen Warnock believes his side can bounce back from their first defeat in six matches. The former Blackburn defender felt dejected by the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Rovers at Ewood Park. Villa took an early lead through in-form Gabriel Agbonlahor but Chris Samba's leveller and David Dunn's late spot-kick put paid to their recent good form. "It was definitely not the result I was looking for coming back for the first time," admitted Warnock. "But this is definitely just a blip. I am sure with the quality in the changing rooms, we've got enough to come back from this and I am sure we will do it. I wanted a good result and a good performance but it wasn't to be."
Alex McLeish has admitted that his players had a major dressing room row after their home defeat by Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. McLeish says he was happy about the frank exchange of views by some of his top stars because it shows they care about the performance. "The mood was not good in there, there was a bit of a barney, a shouting match with some of the big players," said McLeish. "A few let rip but I don't think that does any harm because it shows that they really care about it. And I quite enjoyed it because it saved me losing my voice. They know they messed up and if they keep messing up like that then we will continue to drop points."
Defender Lars Jacobsen believes the squad proved a point to manager Sam Allardyce in the weekend win over Aston Villa. No-one escaped criticism from the Rovers manager after the 3-0 defeat at Everton six days' previously but the players responded by scoring a late winner against the midlanders despite being down to 10 men after Vince Grella was sent off. "Even though we had a bad game last weekend, we came back to Ewood Park and showed there's some character in this team," said the right-back, a summer signing from Everton. "I hope we are on the way forward now."
Gary Cahill hopes he has laid down a marker for a place in next week's England squad after Fabio Capello watched him help Bolton Wanderers to a 2-1 victory at Birmingham on Saturday. "I had no idea he (Capello) was in the stands, and that is probably a good thing. You just go about your game the same way as you'd normally do," Cahill said. "But I hope he took some positives from my performance. I keep trying, giving 100 per cent and then we'll see where it takes me. You have to be positive, and confident in your own ability. I am hungry to get there and hopefully it will work out for me in the end."
Owen Coyle says he will solve Burnley's defensive problems after they conceded five at Tottenham Hotspur. "We'll look to address that," he said. "But it's important we don't over-analyse that because there were large periods of the game where we looked a very good side. But at this level, 50, 60, 70 minutes in the Premier League's not good enough because of the quality they've got. If you switch off you'll be punished and that's what's happened. We have to have concentration and focus for the duration of the game. We've done that in the home games, and we've got our rewards."
Chelsea have left Michael Ballack and John Mikel Obi behind as they travelled to Cyprus for their Champions League match with APOEL Nicosia. Mikel is struggling with an ankle problem while Germany captain Ballack misses out with a calf strain. But Ashley Cole, forced out of their 3-1 defeat by Wigan on Saturday with an ankle injury, did make the flight as did Portugal midfielder Deco and England midfielder Joe Cole, who missed Saturday's match with a cold.
Defender Leighton Baines claims the side has learnt to "win ugly" as they managed a fourth successive victory at the weekend with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth. Everton were put under a lot of pressure at Fratton Park, but held out to win thanks to a Louis Saha goal. Baines said: "We have shown a lot of character to bounce back after what happened in the early days of the season and we have moved on considerably since then. What you always know about this team is that they will pull together, everyone will put a shift in and work hard and that's why we've got another win. It's winning ugly, but it's still a win."
Derby County manager Nigel Clough has moved to bolster his defence by signing Fulham right-back Fredrik Stoor on a month's loan. The 25-year-old Sweden international has found first-team opportunities hard to come by at Craven Cottage after his move from Rosenborg last summer, but Clough believes he will prove to be a shrewd signing. Clough said: "This is a terrific capture for us and I'd like to thank Roy Hodgson and everyone at Fulham for allowing us to take him on loan. He is a defender of international quality, who will certainly improve our squad."
Chairman Paul Duffen has dismissed speculation surrounding the future of manager Phil Brown as "mischief making." He said: "There is no speculation at the football club about the manager's position. That's just mischief making in the media if there is. We are certainly not aware of it. At the moment we are seven games into a new campaign, and we are right in the mix. Only a few points separate us from the middle of the league, and I am really pleased with the signs I see developing in the squad."
Liverpool will take on Arsenal in the Carling Cup fourth round at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, 28th October. The tie will be screened live on Sky Sports and kick-off at 7.45pm. The match has to be decided on the night with extra-time and penalties if necessary.
Nigel de Jong has revealed he has a passion for motor racing, and has considered a career in Formula One in the past. "I was always into cars as a kid," the Dutchman revealed. "It started with my grandfather. He worked for Ford for 40 years and every two years he would come home with a new car. I used to go to the factory to see the new models when they were coming out. I am happy to show my talents as a footballer but I did think about Formula One or go-karts. I raced karts as a kid, I still do in my spare time with a couple of other guys. I am not the next Lewis Hamilton or Michael Schumacher, but I do love the adrenaline. To be sitting in a car at speed, it's quite a nice feeling."
Nani has revealed he turns to his former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo whenever he needs a confidence booster. The 22-year-old was wasteful in United's 2-0 win at Stoke on Saturday before being hauled off early in the second half for Ryan Giggs, who helped set up both goals for Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Nani has revealed he remains close with Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo and the pair often talk about how he can improve his game. "Cristiano and I talk a lot," explained Nani. "We speak about my own game and he gives me confidence to go out and perform."
Everton manager David Moyes has every sympathy for Paul Hart after inflicting a seventh straight league defeat on Portsmouth last weekend. "Paul's doing a great job," said Moyes. "He's got a squad that was only put together at the last minute. A lot of things have been taken away from him. I think you saw the attitude of his players on Saturday. They gave him everything, right to the last minute - as did the supporters. It's seven games into the season. It's one of those things. Football changes round very quickly."
Tony Pulis has warned his players they cannot afford to lose any of their renowned fighting spirit. The Potters manager was dismayed by the performance in Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Manchester United as the very least he demands from his staff is commitment. "We have got to play with more passion and pride," he said. "I didn't think it was in us (against United) and I don't know why. We didn't have players on top of their game, for whatever reason, but they are human beings and have good days and bad days. The players are disappointed, but we have to dust ourselves down now."
Steve Bruce did not know whether to laugh or cry after seeing his side finally put Wolverhampton Wanderers to the sword 5-2. Bruce said: "I'm not feeling like we have won 5-2. What he have to eradicate is when we have a wobble. We must have the basics within us to see that wobble through. It's a big club here with big expectations. That's what I have said to them. Six or seven of them are just experiencing it. You need to be a big player here. There is a big, huge demand and expectation and we must be able to handle that. Thankfully, we responded. We got two or three goals out of nothing in the finish, but there were times there when it got back to 2-2 I thought we would be in trouble. But thankfully we saw it through."
Robbie Keane says Harry Redknapp has the edge on overseas managers with language-barrier problems - and he has thanked his manager for his start to the season after struggling at Liverpool a year ago. So far this season Keane has six goals, including four in the 5-0 win over Burnley. With Spurs hoping to challenge for a Champions League place and Republic of Ireland looking to reach the World Cup, Keane's positive start to the season contrasts to 12 months ago when he could not find goalscoring form under Rafael Benitez. "Things are looking good," Keane said. "On the international front we'll see the outcome of that in a couple of weeks. Domestically we've been fantastic. The manager's been fantastic to all of us. He gets his point across and you know exactly what he means. The players respond to that. As a football man he knows the way he wants to play and it suits us because we like to get the ball down and pass and counter attack. He has been brilliant so far for Tottenham."
Ex-striker Carlos Tevez's reaction to his first goal in Manchester City's 3-1 win over West Ham, scored directly in front of the Hammers supporters, brought an almost apologetic wave of acknowledgement from the player, and Gianfranco Zola felt the gesture was in keeping with his general attitude towards the Londoners. "Great players like him are true gentlemen," said Zola. "Our supporters appreciate him for what he did for the club and his contribution for City was outstanding." Tevez scored twice in the match at Eastlands on Monday.
Striker Jason Scotland expects to keep his place in the side for Saturday's trip to Hull City after playing his part in the famous victory over Chelsea. "This was my first start for the club and I'll be disappointed if I don't start the next one," he said. "To come into this was a massive situation for me and the team and it's arguably the best team performance I've been involved in."
Manager Mick McCarthy says this weekend's encounter with bottom club Portsmouth will be vital. "Portsmouth at home was always going to be a pressure game. They haven't won for seven games - I wish they had!" he said. If we'd have won against Sunderland would it have lessened the pressure for the Portsmouth game? No chance. They played well against Everton. But I won't be losing any sleep this week though."
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