Today in the Premier League

Arsenal

The forward Nicklas Bendtner believes he can forge a successful partnership with fellow striker Emmanuel Adebayor. "People say we are too similar in style, but I think it can work just fine," the Dane said. "If you remember, we combined for the goal against Aston Villa [on 1 March]."

Aston Villa

Martin O'Neill said striker Gabriel Agbonlahor offers more to the team than a goal threat. "Gabby is the last player in the world I will be sitting down and criticising," he said after the forward's run of 10 games without a goal. "He does many other things for us as well as attempting to score."

Birmingham City

Chairman David Gold has dismissed Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas's suggestion that Martin Taylor hurt Eduardo intentionally. "It does the player, his club and football no favours at all," he said. The Football Association has rejected Fifa's call to extend Taylor's current three-match ban.

Blackburn Rovers

Defensive midfielder Johann Vogel has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Ewood Park side after impressing during a recent trial. The 31-year-old former Milan and PSV Eindhoven player captained Switzerland in the 2006 World Cup and was realeased by Real Betis in January.

Bolton Wanderers

Kevin Nolan said he understands supporters' frustration at the club's current League placing and has called for their support for the League run-in. "We were rightly booed off by the fans [after Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Wigan]," he said. "I just want to plead with them as captain to please just stay with us. We need them in what is our hour of need."

Chelsea

The midfielder Joe Cole feels the club hold an advantage in the title race ahead of the trip to Tottenham tonight. A victory at White Hart Lane would see the Blues pull level with Arsenal on 67 points. "We're happy in the shadows, lurking there," the 26-year-old said. "It is very tight at the top and the race is wide open."

Derby County

The manager Paul Jewell believes the Rams could hold the advantage going into the trip to Middlesbrough this Saturday, with the Riverside club six points clear of the relegation zone. "They are safe," Jewell said. "So I guess their fans will be thinking 'Shall I go there or shall I go to B&Q?'"

Everton

Defender Jack Rodwell has agreed a two-year professional contract with the Toffees after making his Premier League debut against Sunderland this month. "I'm really pleased," the 17-year-old said. "It's good being around the first team. They are quality players and it's great to be involved."

Fulham

Roy Hodgson believes results on the pitch will help the Cottagers avoid relegation – not "belief and faith". "Confidence comes when you're playing well and winning," the manager said. "If you're not playing well and losing, you can speak until you're blue in the face about confidence, belief and faith."

Liverpool

Xabi Alonso has praised countryman Fernando Torres for the way he has adapted to English football in his first Premier League season. "He has settled into the League very quickly and that is encouraging," Alonso said of the 24-year-old. "He has shown he is not afraid of the physical contact here."

Manchester City

Manager Sven Goran Eriksson has dismissed talk of European qualification and said the squad are focusing only on the next match, at Bolton this Saturday. "I'm not talking about Europe or Intertoto qualification," the Swede said. "We will concentrate on Bolton and that's it."

Manchester United

Defender Mikaël Silvestre is close to a first-team return after a six month lay-off with a cruciate knee ligament injury. "Mikael's training with the first team now and he's coming along well," the manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. "He should play in the next reserves game, along with Gary Neville."

Middlesbrough

The club will not appeal against the red card shown to Mido during the 1-1 draw at Arsenal last week. "Unfortunately it is perceived as dangerous play because he caught the lad [Gaël Clichy]," manager Garth Southgate said. "We're not very happy. A three match ban is very harsh."

Newcastle United

The Magpies goalkeeper Shay Given could be out for up to six weeks after undergoing groin surgery in Germany yesterday. The Republic of Ireland international has been on the sidelines since 23 February with the injury. "He is expected to make a full recovery," a club statement read.

Portsmouth

Queen's Park Rangers midfielder Akos Buzsaky has dismissed reports of a summer move to Pompey as "no more than gossip". "I am sure my team is going to get promoted in the near future," he said. "I want to play in the Premier League with my present team, not as a player of Portsmouth."

Reading

Manager Steve Coppell believes the "unflappable" midfielder John Oster has the mental strength to overcome recent criticism from a section of the Royals support. "I am aware of it," Coppell said. "I haven't spoken to him about it. He's a good player and I have a lot of time for him."

Sunderland

Manager Roy Keane said the club are looking to implement a world-wide scouting network. "You look at other clubs and they literally have hundreds of people all over the world, and that's what you need," he said. "You need your foot soldiers out there, and that's what we're trying to do."

Tottenham Hotspur

Following reported interest from Milan, Dimitar Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev said he would talk with the Bulgarian forward should a club express interest. "Milan is one of the biggest clubs in Europe," he said. "And if there was interest, we would discuss it with Dimitar."

West Ham United

John Pantsil said 18-year-old striker Freddie Sears' debut goal against Blackburn on Saturday came as no surprise to the players. "When he plays with the senior team in training he is always doing his best," the Ghanaian said. "He is so sharp. I wasn't surprised that he scored. He scores so many goals in the training ground."

Wigan Athletic

Emile Heskey has praised the impact of manager Steve Bruce following the Latics' rise to twelfth in the table. "The manager has done brilliantly for us," Heskey said of Bruce, who moved to the JJB in November. "He has turned us around and we are starting to play some good football, but it's all about getting results at this stage."