Manager reaction - Ancelotti labels Cole a genius

25 October 2009 06:41
All the manager reaction following Saturday's action in the Premier League, which saw Chelsea thump Blackburn 5-0 to go top of the table.

Chelsea 5-0 Blackburn

Carlo Ancelotti (on Joe Cole): "I was very impressed with him. Joe is a very important player for us. He has fantastic quality in midfield. He is a genius. He's a great professional. After 10 months out it's not easy Joe to play like he did. I'm happy for him."

Sam Allardyce: "We knew it would have been difficult to get something out of the game, but why throw a game plan that is working so well out of the window? That is what I cannot understand. At the moment they are not good enough. Bottom line. Mentally resilient? Not there. Physically challenge the opposition? Not there."

Tottenham 0-1 Stoke

Harry Redknapp: "I hoped he could stay on but he couldn't. I told him we'd only have 10 men and could he play on, but he said his ankle was too sore. I don't want to cause an issue. It's not about England - he's got big games coming up for Tottenham."

Tony Pulis:" It was probably our best result because we were playing against a top, top side. They have all the ammo you need to win games and they will still probably have a great season."

Birmingham 2-1 Sunderland

Alex McLeish: "It was a big result. It was important the players didn't get anxious and up to the goal we looked excellent"

Steve Bruce: "We didn't play anything near the standard we have set over the last few weeks."

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Aston Villa

Mick McCarthy: "We deserved something out of it, that's for sure. The first penalty should one was an absolute stonewaller on Doyle. Surely being honest shouldn't prejudice you from getting a penalty. It's a penalty, he has to give the decision. Obviously he didn't think it was or he would have given it."

Martin O'Neill: "It probably is a fair result. Wolves were the better team in the first half - we didn't play well at all and couldn't get hold of ball like we did against Chelsea."

Burnley 1-3 Wigan

Owen Coyle: "If you lose any game it's disappointing. We've also lost our unbeaten home record, but there were a lot of pleasing aspects within it. There were big chunks of that game we controlled, we had numerous opportunities after starting the game well and scoring a terrific goal, only to concede a truly bizarre equaliser.

Roberto Martinez: "I felt the performance was exceptional from everyone, and it would be unfair to single anyone out."

Hull 0-0 Portsmouth

Phil Brown: "It was about getting something from the game. The spirit is fantastic but I felt we needed to get ourselves going with a point or three.

Paul Hart: "It is probably the worst we have played for a month but we did create chances and I think it is a game we should have won. We need to get ahead and get a foothold in a game."

Source: DSG