Arsenal manager admits his side were lucky to go third with win; Monk proud of Swansea triumph
Arsene Wenger felt his Arsenal side were lucky to move up to third in the Barclays Premier League with three points on Saturday, having almost thrown away a two-goal lead in their 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.
First-half goals from Santi Cazorla, a penalty, and Olivier Giroud gave Wenger's men a platform at Selhurst Park, but they were penned back for long spells by Alan Pardew's men.
"Crystal Palace is a team who play with a big intensity and t was important to resist and try to play"
Arsene Wenger
Glenn Murray gave Palace hope with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time and the substitute almost gained Palace a point when his header struck a post with the last action of the match. The victory leaves Arsenal a point above Manchester United, who suffered a 2-1 defeat at Swansea City, while Southampton can move to third with victory against Liverpool on Sunday.
"Crystal Palace is a team who play with a big intensity and a very direct game and for us, it was important to resist and try to play," Wenger said. "We did that well but at 2-0 in the second half we tried much more to come out and protect our advantage, [rather] than continue to play and put them under pressure.
"We missed goal number three and when they came back to 2-1 we were a bit lucky, a bit fortunate, but overall we did fight and it was a very important win for us. Certainly they [Arsenal's players] thought it was done and we know in the Premier League it is never done, especially at 2-0. With that ball on the post, we were a bit fortunate."
Pardew felt Crystal Palace's display was the best since he arrived from Newcastle United in January.
"We took a tactical decision to take the game to Arsenal today," Pardew said. "We find ourselves 1-0 down but we continued with the gameplan and I was pleased with the reaction. It's probably the best we've played since I've been manager.
"The one that hits the post and goes into the 'keeper's hands just summed our day up really, it wasn't to be."
Arsene Wenger felt his Arsenal side were lucky to move up to third in the Barclays Premier League with three points on Saturday, having almost thrown away a two-goal lead in their 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.
First-half goals from Santi Cazorla, a penalty, and Olivier Giroud gave Wenger's men a platform at Selhurst Park, but they were penned back for long spells by Alan Pardew's men.
"Crystal Palace is a team who play with a big intensity and t was important to resist and try to play"
Arsene Wenger
Glenn Murray gave Palace hope with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time and the substitute almost gained Palace a point when his header struck a post with the last action of the match. The victory leaves Arsenal a point above Manchester United, who suffered a 2-1 defeat at Swansea City, while Southampton can move to third with victory against Liverpool on Sunday.
"Crystal Palace is a team who play with a big intensity and a very direct game and for us, it was important to resist and try to play," Wenger said. "We did that well but at 2-0 in the second half we tried much more to come out and protect our advantage, [rather] than continue to play and put them under pressure.
"We missed goal number three and when they came back to 2-1 we were a bit lucky, a bit fortunate, but overall we did fight and it was a very important win for us. Certainly they [Arsenal's players] thought it was done and we know in the Premier League it is never done, especially at 2-0. With that ball on the post, we were a bit fortunate."
Pardew felt Crystal Palace's display was the best since he arrived from Newcastle United in January.
"We took a tactical decision to take the game to Arsenal today," Pardew said. "We find ourselves 1-0 down but we continued with the gameplan and I was pleased with the reaction. It's probably the best we've played since I've been manager.
"The one that hits the post and goes into the 'keeper's hands just summed our day up really, it wasn't to be."
