Premier League Round-up: Fer defends his unsportsmanlike behaviour

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.”