Premier League Round-up: Fer defends his unsportsmanlike behaviour

 

Gordon Tynan
Monday 28 October 2013 00:44 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Norwich midfielder Leroy Fer has defended his actions after being criticised for poor sportsmanship in Saturday’s goalless draw at Carrow Road.

Fer found the Cardiff net in stoppage time, only for referee Mike Jones to rule the strike out as he hadn’t given permission for the throw to be taken.

Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall had thrown the ball out due to an injury to Norwich midfielder Alex Tettey. Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s throw-in went to Fer, who tucked it into the bottom corner as Marshall awaited a return pass, sparking a huge fracas. Fer, a summer signing from FC Twente, insisted he had done nothing wrong. “I just looked at the referee and he did ‘play on’ with his hands so I think the goal had to count,” he said.

“I’m a little bit confused on that one. I meant to put it in because I wanted to win the game.”

Arsène Wenger wants his Arsenal side to continue to build on their self belief in the quest for a sustained assault on the title. The Gunners consolidated their position at the top of the table with a 2-0 win at managerless Crystal Palace, where captain Mikel Arteta was sent off not long after scoring a penalty at the start of the second half. “It is people who do not believe that we have a chance, but the only thing we can do is win our games,” Wenger said.

“The only thing which is important is every win makes you a bit stronger and strengthens the belief. We have difficult games coming up, and that will be a good test, but I am confident.”

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is not getting carried away by his side’s strong start to the season after second-half goals from Romelu Lukaku and substitute Leon Osman clinched a 2-0 win at Aston Villa. The result means Everton have earned 15 points from the last 18 available. Martinez, though, played down talk of a top-four challenge.

“We’re in October. It would be stupid of me to say that,” the Spaniard said. “I don’t think this was us at our best. There are many things we need to do better, many things to improve.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in