New Year's Eve football

Man Utd and Chelsea suffer shock defeats on a busy New Year's Eve of football, while Tottenham are held by Swansea and Arsenal edge past QPR. 1753: Time for a recap of today's events in the Premier League. And no, I'm not all this up - it really did just happen...

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, after his side saw off QPR, on his side's recent resurgence: "The spirit is good, the attitude is good and we keep going. We were 17th after five games, now we're fourth after 19. It's a fantastic achievement by the players who have come in and gelled well together. We keep going and get stronger."

1748: I'm just surprised Stephen Ireland didn't show off his Superman pants again today. They would have been appropriate.

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish on Stephen Ireland, who starred at Stamford Bridge days after being controversially pictured on Twitter smoking a pipe and wearing snakeskin trousers: "He must have caught everybody's eye today, he was excellent. We don't expect him to be an enforcer but the Villa fans expect to seen him closing down and his reading of the game was reminiscent of his Man City form and he has to be like that in every game."

From Rachel in Lincoln, via text: "Re 1704. City have to play two games in three days. 2012 is going to have a suitably cataclysmic beginning, one feels."

From anonymous Man City fan, via text: "Re 1704. One result doesn't make a winter. Settle down Chelsea & Man Utd fans. If all games went to plan there'd be no point playing them. Title race is far from done."

From anon, via text: "Have to give massive credit to Arsenal, given how poorly they started the season, to end 2011 in 4th place is a great achievement. Hope to continue this form into the new year!"

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy confirms he has signed Arsenal's Emmanuel Frimpong on loan from 1 January: "I hope he'll be available for the Chelsea game [on 2 January]. It's done and I'm delighted because I think he's a terrific young player." 

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp hails Swansea after seeing his team held by the Welsh side: "The way Swansea play, it's difficult. They are a credit to the game the way Brendan Rogers has them organised and playing. He's done a great job. Not many teams will come here and win, so taking a point is acceptable. I'll be surprised if Swansea aren't in the Premier League next year."

1727: It's not ALL good news for Arsenal fans today. Arsene Wenger has just revealed that Thomas Vermaelen is out for "two or three weeks" with the injury he sustained against QPR. Wenger also confirmed he's trying to sign a defender but only on loan, and Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has sealed his loan switch to Wolves for the rest of the season. More on all of this in a moment or two.

oreo_g on Twitter: "Re 1704. Chelsea players aren't communicating with each other, both at the back and up front. How can something like that just disappear?"

ChrisTheSarf on Twitter: "Re 1704. Chelsea of all teams should know better than to keep changing managers..."

Norwich manager Paul Lambert after seeing super-sub Simeon Jackson rescue a dramatic late draw for his side: Fulham are a really well-drilled side and I'm delighted with point. After getting beat last time it was important to bounce back. In the second half we were relentless, the lads go to the wall every time I ask them. We have are up and downs like everyone, but if we stick together we will be alright. Simeon was a massive player for us last season, he has waited his turn and I am delighted for him.

Fulham boss Martin Jol after his side were denied victory by a Norwich goal deep in injury time: "It would have been nice to end this year on a very good note and after seeing the first half I really thought we should have scored a second, but we had some tired legs out there and they always look strong in the air. But in the fourth minute of injury time it is disappointing. Sometimes one goal is enough but it wasn't to be today. Two goals would have been a better cushion but in hindsight perhaps they deserved it."

Der_Wanderfalke on Twitter: "Very delighted Villan here, very good today on the break and great win! Scored more goals at the Bridge this year than Torres!"

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas after his side's shock home defeat by Villa: "Hopefully 2012 brings us better results. We need to improve on a couple of aspects and we know what they are. Villa punished us well in the final stages of the game."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez after his side picked up a point with a late penalty at Stoke after having a man sent off: "We showed unbelievable character. We defended really well and then, to go down to 10 men and get back to level terms, was the least we deserved."

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish after his side's 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge: "I thought in the end we deserved it. We looked very dangerous on the break."

FOOTBALL LEAGUE UPDATE: In League Two, Crewe thumped Bristol Rovers 5-2 with Nick Powell bagging a double for the Railwaymen. Southend easily overcame AFC Wimbledon 4-1 and Bradford beat Shrewsbury 3-1. It was goalless between Torquay and Oxford United while Northampton stay bottom of the table after losing 2-1 at home to Swindon. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE UPDATE: It was an afternoon of comebacks in League One. Brentford staged a dramatic second half fightback to draw 3-3 against MK Don. Three second-half goals salvaged the game having been 3-0 down at half-time. Oldham overturned a 2-1 deficit to beat Notts County 3-2 and Jimmy Ryan's injury-time strike ensured Scunthorpe gained a point against Chesterfield. Elsewhere, Colchester beat Exeter 2-0 while Walsall and Rochdale played out a stalemate.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE UPDATE: In the Championship, Middlesbrough were unable to join Southampton at the top of the table as the Posh scored a late equaliser through Tommy Rowe and Cardiff snatched a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest. Martin Paterson's solitary goal was enough to give Burnley the victory over Hull and Coventry moved off the bottom with the 2-0 win against Brighton.

1704 Er, care to pick the bones out of today's action? Is this the the end of Chelsea's title bid? Should it be the end of AVB? Do United fans feel any better after seeing the Blues beaten and Spurs held? And what do Manchester City fans make out of today's, er, somewhat unexpected results? Questions, questions. If you have the answers, tweet m.

From Chelsea fan via text: "I was very supportive of AVB but I'm furious, now a massive embarrassment."

From anon via text:"Are City going to win the league or is everyone else going to lose it?!!"

FULL-TIME Swansea 1-1 Tottenham

FULL-TIME Stoke 2-2 Wigan

FULL-TIME Norwich 1-1 Fulham

FULL-TIME Chelsea 1-3 Aston Villa

FULL-TIME Bolton 1-1 Wolves

FULL-TIME Arsenal 1-0 QPR