Arsenal - Gael Clichy believes William Gallas answered his critics with a good performance in the 4-0 win against FC Twente on Wednesday night. The captain was blamed for the goal Arsenal conceded in the 1-0 defeat to Fulham last weekend. Clichy said: "I think he showed he is a great player. Everyone has a bad time. Last year against Birmingham, I had a big mistake, that was my thing. Of course, William is a big player, a more experienced player and he is the captain so you have to look for someone to blame. Unfortunately it is him but I don't think the players think that is right."

Aston Villa - Craig Gardner scored his side's goal to help ensure Villa qualified for the first round of the UEFA Cup against FH Hafnarfjordur on Thursday night. Martin O'Neill rung the changes for the match, with Gardner featuring in central midfield. "I think it was a great chance for the players who came into the side and I was just glad to get off the mark for the season," Gardner said. "Hopefully I did well enough to get another chance in centre midfield."

Blackburn Rovers - New signing Vince Grella has revealed that fellow Australian Brett Emerton helped convince him to move to Ewood Park from Torino: "I'd spoken to Brett before the move. He's been here for a long time now and he enjoys his football here at Blackburn. He was very positive in speaking to me about the club."

Bolton Wanderers - Kevin Davies signed a contract extension until 2011 on Thursday and then revealed his love for the club. "Talks have been going on since the summer, so to get it signed means that I can now concentrate on my football," he said. "It's taken a little bit longer than myself and the club would have liked but negotiations ran pretty smoothly on both sides. I love playing for the club and I'm settled living in the town."

  Chelsea - John Terry, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech were all given UEFA awards in their respective positions on Thursday. The Player of the Year awards were based on the players' performances in last seasons' Champions League campaign. Terry won best defender, Lampard best midfielder and Cech best goalkeeper.

Everton - Segundo Castillo officially joined on a season-long loan from Red Star Belgrade on Thursday. The Ecuardian midfielder said: "I know that Everton are a big club who have a history of playing in important competitions like the UEFA Cup. I hope I can do my best for the team."

Fulham - Roy Hodgson praised Danny Murphy after his injury time strike handed the Cottagers a 3-2 win over Leicester City in the Carling Cup second round. "When push comes to shove he's a fellow you can rely upon," said Hodgson. "He's a 100 per cent man; he never stops working even if things aren't going well."

Hull City - Phil Brown has confirmed he has tabled bids for five players with only a few days remaining in the transfer window. "We're working hard behind the scenes to get players in," said Brown. "We've got two bids on the table for strikers, two for defenders and one for a midfield player. If one falls into place, then that automatically takes another two or three out."

Liverpool - The club have confirmed that the building of their new stadium will be subject to delay. A spokesman said: "Our commitment to building a new world class LFC stadium is undiminished. Like many other major development projects in the UK and overseas we are affected by global market conditions and as such work on the project will be delayed in the short term. We will use this period productively and revisit the plans for the stadium to increase its capacity to 73,000 seats."

Manchester City - Goalkeeper Joe Hart was the hero as he saved two penalties in the shoot-out victory over FC Midtjylland on Thursday after a 1-1 draw on aggregate. "I love them [penalty shootouts]", he said. " I love watching them and being a part of them, it gives you a chance to be involved. It would be nice to bowl teams over, but when we had to work like we did over the two legs it's pleasing."

Manchester United - Chief executive David Gill says the club are happy with the Champions League draw after being pitched with Celtic, Villarreal and Danish side Aalborg. "Overall, we're pretty pleased with the draw," he said. "We don't have far to travel and the way the games have fallen means our first game is at home to Villarreal between our trips to Liverpool and Chelsea which is good."

Middlesbrough - Defender Chris Riggott believes this weekend's visit to Stoke City will be a difficult test. "It's going to be a very tough game as they fight and scrap for everything, but if we play well then I think it's one that we're capable of winning," he said.

Newcastle United - Danny Guthrie is delighted to have played every minute of the campaign so far following his summer move from Liverpool: "It's gone really well for me but now I have to build on that and stay in the team for as long as I can. I've loved it so far and I've got a house now so I'm settled and the area is fantastic."

Portsmouth - Harry Redknapp has responded to suggestions that the team should have got more out of their first two league matches against Chelsea and Manchester United. Pompey lost 4-0 and 1-0 respectively, but ahead of the Everton match on Saturday Redknapp said: "How many teams will beat Manchester United and Chelsea this year? I don't think they'll lose more than three games each. Without being a silly optimist, how many points would you expect us to get from these opening three games?"

Stoke City - Tony Pulis has denied reports that the club will be making another approach for Valencia's Serbia striker Nikola Zigic. "Nikola is a player we have looked at and spoken too, but we will not be taking it any further," Pulis confirmed. "We have already identified other targets and are working tirelessly trying to get a couple of players in before the deadline on Monday."

Sunderland - Roy Keane has revealed that he has some injury worries following the side's 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Nottingham Forest. He said: "There are a few injuries - one or two lads went down with cramp. Steed [Malbranque] has a problem, David Healy got a blow at the end, but you expect a physical challenge, we'll assess the situation."

Tottenham Hotspur - David Bentley believes Sunday's match with Chelsea can put the season back on track after the club lost its first two matches. "It's great to test yourself against a side like Chelsea and I'm thoroughly looking forward to it," he said. "If we go there and put in a solid performance, play good football and get a positive result it could kick-start our season."

West Bromwich Albion - Robert Koren has followed in the footsteps of Paul Robinson by signing a new two-year contract with the option of another year. "Like I said about Robbo yesterday [Thursday], I want as many good footballers at the club as possible and Robert fits into that category," said manager Tony Mowbray. "He has become an important member of the squad over the past 19 months and has a terrific attitude. I'm delighted he's committed his future to the club."

West Ham United - Carlton Cole has denied claims he wants to leave and is hopeful of agreeing a new contract. "I don't want the fans to think that I want to leave," he said. "I am happy at West Ham. I have just had a baby and I don't want to go anywhere. I am really settled in my life and only want to work hard and do well for West Ham. I am just looking forward to a bright future and when the time is right the deal will be done."

Wigan Athletic - Striker Amr Zaki is desperate to add to the two goals he has scored in three matches by netting against Hull City on Saturday. "I love scoring and I am happy that I have not had to wait long to score for my new club. But now I want to carry on," he said. "I don't fear anybody, that's just the way I am. So I go into every game I play with just one intention, to score. That's the best way for me to help the team, that's what I do best."