English Premier League: Moyes displeased with ‘scandalous’ decision
United manager lambasts referee in defending champions’ 2-1 defeat
Caption CONTRAST: While United rued their loss against Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool went on to consolidate their place in the top five of the Premier League. Photos: AFP
MANCHESTER:
David Moyes labelled a controversial decision by World Cup final referee Howard Webb as ‘scandalous’ in the wake of his team's 2-1 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
The Manchester United manager was incensed by a late decision not to award United a penalty kick when Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris challenged home winger Ashley Young and questioned whether England's most respected official should be operating in the Premier League.
"It was a scandal," fumed Moyes. "It's reckless, it's late, it's in the penalty box, I don't know what else you can say.
"You only hope the people who put the referees in there look to see if the referees are doing as well as they can. But they keep picking them, don't they?”
The United manager's angry mood was not helped by Webb showing a yellow card to United youngster Adnan Januzaj for ‘simulation’ in the second half.
United have now dropped 26 points in the current campaign, and now face the real prospect of becoming only the second defending Premier League champions in history to finish outside the top three the following year.
Emmanuel Adebayor was one of a number of Tottenham heroes, scoring the opening goal and putting in a spirited display before being stretchered off injured after 70 minutes.
By that stage, Christian Eriksen had doubled the Spurs lead with Danny Welbeck quickly responding with the third, and final, goal of the day.
Wenger sees title heart from Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that his side have now provided evidence of the strength and spirit required to end their long wait for a Premier League title.
It is nine years since Arsenal last won a trophy and 10 years since they won the league, but the last-gasp 2-0 New Year's Day win over Cardiff City confirmed their credentials as championship contenders.
With time almost up and the game against Cardiff looking beyond them, goals from substitute Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott secured a win that kept them at the top of the table.
"We have a good togetherness in the side," said Wenger. "The players come on with the right attitude and that makes the difference. You know that if you do not have that in the championship, then you have no chance to do it.”
Rodgers happy to see Liverpool win ugly
Brendan Rodgers claimed he had no qualms about winning ugly as Liverpool returned to the Premier League's top four with a scrappy 2-0 victory over Hull City.
Rodgers' side took the points despite an underwhelming performance thanks to Daniel Agger's first-half header and Luis Suarez's superb free-kick after the break.
As a result, the Reds moved back into the Champions League qualification places at the expense of Merseyside rivals Everton.
"I have told the players that I think that is our best win of the season," he said.
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is delighted that his side's careless away form in the Premier League has finally given way to a new-found consistency on the road.
Goals from Fernandinho, Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov in a 3-2 win at Swansea City on Wednesday earned Pellegrini's side another valuable three points in their pursuit of the title.
"I'm very pleased because we played against a very difficult team," said Pellegrini.
David Moyes labelled a controversial decision by World Cup final referee Howard Webb as ‘scandalous’ in the wake of his team's 2-1 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
The Manchester United manager was incensed by a late decision not to award United a penalty kick when Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris challenged home winger Ashley Young and questioned whether England's most respected official should be operating in the Premier League.
"It was a scandal," fumed Moyes. "It's reckless, it's late, it's in the penalty box, I don't know what else you can say.
"You only hope the people who put the referees in there look to see if the referees are doing as well as they can. But they keep picking them, don't they?”
The United manager's angry mood was not helped by Webb showing a yellow card to United youngster Adnan Januzaj for ‘simulation’ in the second half.
United have now dropped 26 points in the current campaign, and now face the real prospect of becoming only the second defending Premier League champions in history to finish outside the top three the following year.
Emmanuel Adebayor was one of a number of Tottenham heroes, scoring the opening goal and putting in a spirited display before being stretchered off injured after 70 minutes.
By that stage, Christian Eriksen had doubled the Spurs lead with Danny Welbeck quickly responding with the third, and final, goal of the day.
Wenger sees title heart from Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that his side have now provided evidence of the strength and spirit required to end their long wait for a Premier League title.
It is nine years since Arsenal last won a trophy and 10 years since they won the league, but the last-gasp 2-0 New Year's Day win over Cardiff City confirmed their credentials as championship contenders.
With time almost up and the game against Cardiff looking beyond them, goals from substitute Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott secured a win that kept them at the top of the table.
"We have a good togetherness in the side," said Wenger. "The players come on with the right attitude and that makes the difference. You know that if you do not have that in the championship, then you have no chance to do it.”
Rodgers happy to see Liverpool win ugly
Brendan Rodgers claimed he had no qualms about winning ugly as Liverpool returned to the Premier League's top four with a scrappy 2-0 victory over Hull City.
Rodgers' side took the points despite an underwhelming performance thanks to Daniel Agger's first-half header and Luis Suarez's superb free-kick after the break.
As a result, the Reds moved back into the Champions League qualification places at the expense of Merseyside rivals Everton.
"I have told the players that I think that is our best win of the season," he said.
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is delighted that his side's careless away form in the Premier League has finally given way to a new-found consistency on the road.
Goals from Fernandinho, Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov in a 3-2 win at Swansea City on Wednesday earned Pellegrini's side another valuable three points in their pursuit of the title.
"I'm very pleased because we played against a very difficult team," said Pellegrini.