Roberto Martinez on facing Sunderland on Sunday: "Sunderland had a phenomenal end to the season. They had a very good win at Crystal Palace, they've got several players playing well.

"We go to the Stadium of Light with a lot of respect but knowing this is a very very important game. We are where you deserve to be. The four points we dropped in the first two opening games were probably going to mark how we started the competition.

"I think we've played a lot better this season than this stage last year. We can score goals, we're getting sharp in that respect. Defensively, some of the aspects of our play cost us points. But now we've only conceded something like one goal in five games and we are fresh - that will be important for the season."

Image source, Getty Images

Roberto Martinez says midfielder Ross Barkley is worthy of Roy Hodgson's comparison of him to Paul Gascoigne.

"Ross is a good footballer and he will draw these comparisons. I think he's a phenomenal footballer and it is great to see him compared to players like Gascoigne. But the reality is the longer you see Ross at our club, the more you see a unique footballer," says Martinez.

"We've got a great relationship with England and Roy Hodgson and I think it's important we have that. In the same way we have a few young players playing for their international teams who need the help and understanding that they require at this stage of their careers."

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips is at Garry Monk's news conference: "Monk says suspended Jonjo Shelvey has time to dwell on his latest red card and wants team to cut out silly bookings.

"Monk estimated Swansea have played between 110/115 minutes down to ten men this season."

Image source, Empics

Roberto Martinez says Leon Osman showed just why he deserved his new two-year deal with his performance against Lille last night.

"You don't get many footballers celebrating their testimonial. The way he is enjoying his football, the way he took his goal yesterday - that is him," says Martinez. "He has great composure, has real style and quality. The extra year is a reward he deserves for his quality.

"The club is moving forward and we need to all maintain our fitness. We hope Leon Osman is fully fit for many many years to come, and write more pages of history with Everton. He is a special footballer."

Chelsea 4 Liverpool 4, Champions League, April 14, 2009

Chelsea denied Liverpool the glory of another sensational European comeback to reach the semi-finals after seeing a 3-1 first-leg lead cancelled out by first-half goals from Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso, who scored a penalty. The Blues produced a sensational comeback of their own - scoring three times in the second half to lead 6-4 on aggregate at one stage. Yet this incredible contest took another twist when Liverpool scored twice in as many minutes through Lucas and Dirk Kuyt to leave them just one goal adrift of an incredible victory until Lampard's late strike eased nerves.

Image source, Getty Images

Jose Mourinho on Liverpool selling Luis Suarez to Barcelona: "Obviously a very good player and when you lose a good player you lose something. But they had fantastic funds to invest in a new squad. They improve it a lot, they bought so many important players, all of them internationals. So they invested very good and I think their potential is there.

"In the Premier League, I am not surprised with anything. Every match is difficult, you don't know when people are going to lose points. After the World Cup is difficult, you don't have time to have a proper pre-season."

Swansea City manager Garry Monk says he has not spoken to striker Michu amid speculation of a January return to Swansea from his season-long loan spell at Napoli.

He does however hope to complete contract negotiations with Wilfried Bony before the visit of Arsenal on Sunday. "He deserves it," monk tells the media, insisting a new deal was not to deter bids from other clubs in January.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says Steven Gerrard's slip which led to Demba Ba's goal in last season's victory over Liverpool gifted Manchester City the title.

"[The Steven Gerrard slip] gave the title to Man City," he says. "It's as simple as that. If Liverpool had got a point in that match, they would have been champions, but it meant nothing to us, as we weren't in the title race.

"I think Liverpool have to think about this season. I think they have enough motivation. I think if I was in that position I would go back to last season for the good memories, all the great matches they played."

Roberto Martinez says his team are coping with the duel demands of European football and the Premier League.

"I think we have dealt very well with playing in Europe and playing three games in eight days," he says. "We have maintained consistency and we have kept on growing. That will help us to fulfil the potential this squad has."

Roberto Martinez on striker Romelu Lukaku: "I think we're seeing progress every game. I think since the international break, with every individual we've been able to get some more specific work with every individual and we're beginning to see signs of progress from every individual.

"We are a stronger squad because of the World Cup. From a physical point of view we have had to measure really really closely, so mentally they can switch off after the World Cup and come back fresh and full, fully sharp, The second half of the season then becomes something we can look forward towards getting fitter and sharper."

Image source, Everton

Everton manager Robert Martinez says Gareth Barry is the only doubt for Sunday's match at Sunderland.

"We came through the game last night (against Lille) with Gareth Barry who has had a knock to the shin, but apart from that the whole squad will be available for Sunday," he says.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on the Anfield atmosphere: "The crowd can influence the match in a big way at Anfield. I like to play there, but I have to say that some people feel the atmosphere in a negative way, but that's not my case. I like it, and it doesn't affect my players' performance, but in the past we have clear examples of it affecting other performances, goals that are not goal, penalties that are not given."

Image source, Getty Images

Jose Mourinho says striker Loic Remy is available for Saturday's match against Liverpool, with the Frenchman recovering from a groin injury.

"Remy is back in training. He's an option as well. That's good news too," he says.

Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0, Champions League, May 3, 2005

The most contentious of the meetings. The first leg of the Champions League semi-final clash at Stamford Bridge ended goalless and within minutes of the second leg Liverpool took the lead when Milan Baros clipped over Petr Cech and Luis Garcia stabbed the ball home despite a last-ditch attempt from William Gallas to clear it. Replays showed that the ball did not cross the line but the goal was awarded by referee Lubos Michel and Liverpool held on - to Chelsea's fury. Jose Mourinho still contends it was not a goal. The Reds went on to overturn a three-goal deficit to AC Milan in the final, winning on penalties.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says striker Diego Costa will start against Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.

"We think he is ready to start the match tomorrow," he says of Chelsea's leading scorer, who has had a hamstring problem. "In the 15 days (international break) he can rest and work. It is fantastic news for us. I thank the Spain FA for the decision that they made.

"The plan is to have period of complete rest after the match for a few days, and after that to continue the specific work he is doing without having a match to play on the weekend."

A reminder we are about to hear from Jose Mourinho, Garry Monk and Roberto Martinez from different corners of the UK at the same time.

Get ready...

BBC Wales Sport football correspondent Rob Phillips tweets:, external Waiting for Swansea presser with Garry Monk and Lukasz Fabianski.

Monk could have news on Wilfried Bony's contract as it emerged yesterday the striker was close to extending his deal at the Swansea City Stadium.

Image source, LiverpoolFC

Liverpool FC: , externalHappy birthday to one of the most supremely talented players to pull on the #LFC shirt. John Barnes is 51 today.

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

What a sporting smorgasbord this weekend will be. There are 30 hours of live sport coverage on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra on Saturday and Sunday, including England against New Zealand in both codes of rugby, the Brazilian Grand Prix, four Premier League games, starting with Liverpool verus Chelsea, and the first round of the FA Cup.

And there's tennis, too, with Andy Murray and Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals.

Live coverage starts with the Rugby League Four Nations at 0700GMT on Saturday morning on 5 live sports extra.

David Ornstein
BBC Sport

"Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini seemed in a focused but calm mood as he addressed the media this lunchtime here at Etihad Stadium. He began by revealing news that captain Vincent Kompany would miss Saturday's trip to QPR with a calf injury, which could also see the defender ruled out of Belgium's Euro 2016 qualifier against Wales.

"Pellegrini was pressed on his side's recent struggles but showed little sign of irritation as he pointed out that City didn't start last season well yet went on to win the Premier League title. He was unequivocal in his support of this group of players. Included in that was Yaya Toure, who the Chilean categorically denied would be leaving the club despite reports suggesting that could happen. Pellegrini said he and the club hierarchy have no intention of selling their star player, backing him to overcome a difficult period.

"Pellegrini was happy fielding a range of question but appeared, as is often the case, that he would prefer to be getting on with the football than talking."